Mentor-protégé expectation agreement, met expectations, and perceived effort: an examination of the effects on key outcomes for mentoring relationships

To date, research on mentoring relationships has focused on developing a normative model, outlining key antecedents, processes, and outcomes. In line with Leader-Member Exchange theory, this study examined the unique, idiosyncratic nature of mentoring relationships using data from 106 matched formal mentoring dyads. Contrary to predictions, met expectations did not mediate the relationship between mentor-protg agreement on expectations for protg/mentor behaviors and affective outcomes. Instead, perceived effort was the key driver of met expectations and demonstrated direct and indirect effects on relationship quality, protgs willingness to mentor, and protgs perception of program effectiveness. Additionally, mentor-protg agreement on protg role modeling and friendship behaviors was associated with mentors affective outcomes. Implications of non-hypothesized findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.