This resource provides the definition of pair support and introduces the concepts of depth, breadth and quality - which represent the underlying philosophy behind programmatic design and the foundation for defining success.
A strong iMentor pair relationships are characterized by a close, personal bond that can be leveraged to support a mentee's actualization of their highest post-secondary aspiration. In order to achieve this type of relationship, PMs should be supporting pairs in developing their relationship in two ways: Developmental (i.e., close personal bond) and Instrumental (i.e., leveraging the relationship in service of the mentee's post-secondary goals). This resource introduces the Relationship Efficacy Matrix - a tool that PMs can use to prioritize pairs for support and design their approach - as well as typical pair archetypes PMs will commonly observe, which are plotted on the matrix to bring the concept to life.
Typical Arc of iMentor Pair Relationships
While all mentoring relationships form differently, a typical arc of development has been observed among iMentor pairs over the years. This resource presents that arc along with advice for PMs to leverage the concept as a tool to identify where pairs are in their relationship and develop strategies to push the pair further.
Attributes of Strong Pair Relationships at iMentor
Pairs development of a strong personal relationship is the foundational programmatic output of the iMentor Theory of Action - the logic model that drives program design and implementation. This resource clearly articulates the attributes iMentor believes characterize strong personal relationships, which PMs can use to inform the design of their approach to pair support.
How Strong Pair Relationships are Measured at iMentor
In order to gauge the efficacy of the program model and implementation with regards to their ability to generate strong personal relationships mentees can leverage in working toward their post-secondary goals, iMentor developed a valid and reliable scale to understand relationship strength. This resource provides details on that scale, which is the formal methodology used to measure efficacy. It also includes the informal ways that PMs can use as indicators of relationship strength to inform their pair support approach.
Pair Relationship Quality Rubric
While the Strong Personal Relationship Scale measures pairs' perspective on relationship strength, the Pair Relationship Quality Rubric is designed to add PMs' perspective to further explore how implementation of the iMentor model is driving impactful pair relationships. This resource provides an intorduction to this tool.
This resource provides an overview and detailed accounting of the tool iMentor uses to define, coach toward and evaluate the quality of support PMs provide to pairs. This is a great asset for PMs and managers to collaboratively review, set expectations regarding pair support and guage efficacy in service of targeting areas for growth over time.
The Importance of Pair Support Documentation
This resource explores the high-level rationale behind the PM responsibility of pair support documentation, including stewarding mentee safety, establishing a strong continuity of care and supporting the organization’s ability to examine the efficacy of pair support in shepherding pairs toward programmatic outcomes.
