Abstract
An attachment theory perspective of mentoring is presented to explain the degree of functionality of a mentor—protégé formal match in an organizational setting. By focusing on Bowlby’s (1969/1982) behavioral system of attachment and its triarchic taxonomy of secure, avoidant, and anxious-ambivalent attachment, previous conceptualizations are expanded by illuminating relational concepts that mentors and supervisors could use to facilitate employee learning and development. A short attachment style assessment and a mentor—protégé(e) attachment style pairing guide are presented.
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