From Booklist
What Strunk and White's Elements of Style is to writing and Richard Bayan's Words That Sell (1984) is to advertising, Johnson's and Ridley's slim but meaty volume will be a classic for future mentors. Both authors are professors of psychology and have meticulously and concisely boiled the plethora of material written on the subject of mentoring down to 50 key elements. The book seems overly geared to mentoring in a corporate setting, but anyone who is attempting this noble work--be it schoolteacher, big brother, or music pedagogue--will find useful advice here, which is not only turned outward toward encouraging proteges but also inward in a section titled "Know Thyself as a Mentor: Matters of Integrity." The authors have left no stone unturned in their treatment, even dealing with the ever-present possibility of sexual attraction between mentor and protege. This is sure to become a standard in the field. Allen Weakland
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Review
"This book represents a well-articulated approach to the principles of mentoring that is sure to be a landmark work. Jam-packed with exciting ideas, it highlights precisely why and how mentoring is undertaken in various workplace settings. The authors respond to the rapidly changing world of work by delivering an extraordinary range of tools and options for professionals who wish to be ethical, thoughtful teachers and coaches to their protégés. Well written and highly readable, it offers practical applications using exemplary case studies. This gem of a resource will aid the reader in understanding how to apply the mentoring microskills presented throughout. This is a must read for anyone who aspires to excellence as a leader and mentor." -- Mary H. Guindon, School of Professional Studies in Business and Education
Johns Hopkins University

" Johnson and Ridley carefully explain the skills, attitudes and values that make for effective mentoring. In this useful guide, they point out what helps and what could hurt these developmental relationships. A must read for mentors and protégés alike. I recommend it highly" -- Winston E. Gooden, Ph.D., Dean, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

"Johnson and Ridley have distilled the essence of how to be a successful mentor in a well written succinct compendium they accurately describe as the "nuts and bolts" of effectively advancing the careers of junior colleagues in a caring, yet rigorous manner. The advice contained here holds significant value across work sites and professions, and can benefit both potential mentors and those wishing to find a mentor. I recommend this book to anyone hoping to guide the next generation in their field or hoping to find such a guide." --Gerald P. Koocher, Professor and Dean, School for Health Studies, Simmons College



Review
"This book represents a well-articulated approach to the principles of mentoring that is sure to be a landmark work. Jam-packed with exciting ideas, it highlights precisely why and how mentoring is undertaken in various workplace settings. The authors respond to the rapidly changing world of work by delivering an extraordinary range of tools and options for professionals who wish to be ethical, thoughtful teachers and coaches to their protégés. Well written and highly readable, it offers practical applications using exemplary case studies. This gem of a resource will aid the reader in understanding how to apply the mentoring microskills presented throughout. This is a must read for anyone who aspires to excellence as a leader and mentor." -- Mary H. Guindon, School of Professional Studies in Business and Education
Johns Hopkins University

" Johnson and Ridley carefully explain the skills, attitudes and values that make for effective mentoring. In this useful guide, they point out what helps and what could hurt these developmental relationships. A must read for mentors and protégés alike. I recommend it highly" -- Winston E. Gooden, Ph.D., Dean, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

"Johnson and Ridley have distilled the essence of how to be a successful mentor in a well written succinct compendium they accurately describe as the "nuts and bolts" of effectively advancing the careers of junior colleagues in a caring, yet rigorous manner. The advice contained here holds significant value across work sites and professions, and can benefit both potential mentors and those wishing to find a mentor. I recommend this book to anyone hoping to guide the next generation in their field or hoping to find such a guide." --Gerald P. Koocher, Professor and Dean, School for Health Studies, Simmons College



Book Description
Patterned after Strunk and White's classic The Elements of Style, this reference concisely summarizes the substantial existing research on the art and science of mentoring. The Elements of Mentoring reduces this wealth of published material on the topic to the fifty most important and pithy truths for supervisors in all fields. These explore what excellent mentors do, what makes an excellent mentor, how to set up a successful mentor-protégé relationship, how to work through problems that develop between mentor and protégé, what it means to mentor with integrity, and how to end the relationship when it has run its course. Succinct and comprehensive, this is a must-have for any mentor or mentor-to-be.



About the Author
W. Brad Johnson is Assistant Professor of Psychology at the U.S. Naval Academy and a faculty associate in the Graduate School of Business and Education at Johns Hopkins University. Charles R. Ridley is Professor of Counseling Psychology and Associate Dean for Research at the Indiana University graduate school.

FROM THE PUBLISHER