There is both gain and loss in early male formation: men gain a certain clarity, power, and even vision in their separateness, yet may pay the cost in mutuality, responsiveness, and connectedness. Mentors can help men heal their connectivity deficit while retaining the strengths of their distinctiveness by reminding them that they have within…

This chapter explores how incorporating the possible selves construct within a supportive and challenging mentoring relationship can assist in personal and professional growth. (Contains 1 figure.)

Presents a set of reflection questions for educators preparing to mentor others, related to the phases of the mentoring relationship: preparing, negotiating, enabling, and coming to closure. (Contains 14 references.) (SK)

A mentorship model to provide leadership for staff development has five key steps: engender trust, understand learner movement in a development framework, introduce conflict and encourage learner voice, emphasize positive movement, and attend to the relationship. (SK)

The possible selves construct is presented as a useful and largely untapped perspective on adult learning. Special attention is given to the role of educational helping relationships in fostering positive possible selves among adult learners.

This narrative describes the journey from a mentoring relationship between a professor and graduate student to a long-term, synergistic collaborative relationship. (SK)