Separate examinations of emotional intelligence (EI) and mentoring reveal their career-enhancing potential, yet little research exists connecting the two. Emotionally intelligent people have an increased likelihood of having and maintaining successful relationships, and mentored professionals achieve higher levels of position, pay, and career satisfaction. The purpose of this review is to systematically review existing literature to illustrate how EI affects the mentoring relationship and influences its effectiveness for both the mentor and protégé. Questions guiding this research include the following: (a) What potential connections between EI and mentoring exist? and (b) How might these connections inform mentoring theory and practice? This review explicitly connects EI and mentoring literatures to show theoretical and practical synergies that are applicable to mentors, protégés, research, and practice. The article concludes with a proposed model of “emotionally intelligent mentoring” (EIM).
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