Tensions in Cross-Cultural Mentoring

• In Event: Productive Tensions in Mentoring

Abstract

Purposes
There is little contention about the significance of mentoring in sustaining the academic trajectories of women faculty who try to rise above the glass ceiling (Allen et al., 2004). However, what emerges from such narratives are romanticized notions of mentoring (Esnard-Flavius and Aziz, 2011). Needed are further interrogations of the potential tensions underpinning mentoring networks and the ways in which these facilitate or inhibit collective goals. The purposes of our paper are to (i) engage in a critical self-examination of the ways in which the processes and structures of our mentoring network and mentoring circles result in tensions and; (ii) to discuss the ways in which these tensions are negotiated, particularly among women from various ethnic backgrounds working across cultures.
Theoretical framework
We explore the utility and claim of social capital theory that mentoring networks to enhance the social capital of those who access and share resources, relationships, and partnerships embedded within the network. We explore the bases for such expectations that shape interactions, intellectual exchanges, and collaborations of the wider network. These expectations include sufficient levels and degrees of trust, reciprocity, and mutual values (Palgi & Moore, 2004). While Granovetter (1973) suggested that diverse networks yield useful contacts and benefits, more recent works have provided empirical support for the value of networks for those who function within (Lin et al., 2001; Putnam, 1993, 2000) and have raised questions regarding the potential challenges of mentoring networks (Eby et al., 2000; Parker & Kram, 1993).
Modes of inquiry
A narrative inquiry approach allows for wider assessment of how tensions affect the collective narrative of our mentoring and allows us to unpack the complexities, processes, and paradoxes that we engage while mentoring across-cultures.
Data sources
To acquire data we solicited the personal narratives of all members of our mentoring network and circle. We asked individuals to submit written personal narratives that describe their experiences with tension and its relationship to culture amid group dynamics. The narratives allowed for exploration of the sources and outcomes of tensions related to collaboration within mentoring network and circles.
Substantiated conclusions
Initial analyses of personal narratives suggest that members are conscious of, subtly communicate, and address the issues and tensions related to collaboration within the mentoring network. Sources of tensions centered on participants’ navigation through windows of opportunity to participate in collaborative activities. For instance, some perceived that their participation was mediated to their detriment by others in the mentoring circle or network. We also found that the use of technospaces minimized, eased, and buffered us from 1) some potentially negative outcomes of the tensions (expressed, implied, or hinted) as well as 2) opportunities to mentor one another through them (Agosto et al., 2013).
Scholarly significance
Risk and open discussions of social differences (i.e., race, culture, ethnicity) are critical components to traversing and building effective cross-cultural mentoring relationships (Chan 2008; Crutcher, 2007; Johnson-Bailey & Cervero, 2002). This paper advances theoretical discussion of the complexities of mentoring networks and the dynamics affecting the outcomes of cross-cultural collaborations.

Authors

• Talia Randa Esnard, The University of Trinidad and Tobago

• Deirdre Cobb-Roberts, University of South Florida

• Ke Wu, University of Montana

• Ann Unterreiner, Education Consultant/Independent Scholar

• Vonzell Agosto, University of South Florida

• Zorka Karanxha, University of South Florida

• Makini Z. Beck, Valdosta State University