UPWARD MAINTENANCE TACTICS IN SUPERVISORY MENTORING AND NONMENTORING RELATIONSHIPS

This study explored the communication strategies junior colleagues use to preserve stable mentoring and nonmentoring relationships with thei r supervisors. Data collected from 259 managerial and technical/profes sional employees suggest informally mentored subordinates use a distin ctive pattern of upward maintenance tactics with their supervisors. In terestingly, few differences among formal supervisory proteges, nonsup ervisory proteges, and nonproteges emerged. Implications for mentorshi p theory, research, and practice are discussed.