Proceedings of the 21st International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real Estate pp 899-905 | Cite as
Improving Mentoring Relationships of Construction Management Professionals
Abstract
Mentoring is usually undermined and often mistaken as managing and assigning work to individuals. This study examined various characteristics expected of new (mentees) and experienced construction management professionals (mentors) with a view to equipping the mentees with adequate knowledge and reduce mentoring relationship breakdown. Basic attributes required for the two parties to mentoring as well as basic factors for failure of mentoring relationships were obtained from existing relevant literature materials. Based on this, data were collected using close-ended questionnaires administered on various professionals mentees and mentors that are currently working in the construction industry. For effective mentoring, experienced professionals must be respectful, knowledgeable, honest, energetic, encourage communication, share past experience and possess good positive attitude. For mentees, they must be enthusiastic, willing to learn, respectful, motivated, energetic and be a good listener. Mentoring relationships fail due to various personal, attitudinal and organizational reasons. To improve the relationship, individual opinions should be allowed and respected and conversation should focus on personal beliefs and values. More so, construction organizations, that is, contracting and consulting firms should support mentoring by fostering good relationship among employee by assigning experienced and young professionals to the same task, multi-tasking of the young ones, etc.
Keywords
Built environment Construction industry Education Knowledge Mentoring Skills TrainingReferences
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