Chapter 6: Work-Related, Spiritual Mentoring in Support of Stakeholder Wellbeing

Despite the importance of a relational ontology to both workplace spirituality and work-related mentoring, research considering the nature of work-related spiritual mentoring and its potential benefits for wellbeing has been limited. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to discuss the nature of work-related, spiritual mentoring, and its implications for the wellbeing of employees and other stakeholders. First, brief overviews of the nature of wellbeing, as well as conventional and relational workplace mentoring are provided. Second, workplace spirituality and spiritual mentoring are introduced. Third, the similarities and differences among conventional, relational and spiritual approaches to mentoring in terms of definitions, beneficiaries, functions, assumptions, norms, and, commonly used skills are considered. Fourth, the ways in which a spiritual perspective enlarges the assumptions, functions, and norms of relational mentoring, thereby facilitating greater possibilities for fostering wellbeing among a broader range of stakeholders are discussed. Fifth, directions for future research are considered.