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TEL 431: Learning in Workplaces

L4 Activity: Development of a Developmental Network


Name: Samantha Friedman
Date: 4/12/2016
NOTE: Please italicize all your responses so that nothing is missed when your work
is assessed.
Before you begin this activity, please read the following article on reconceptualizing
mentoring-protg relationships.
Higgins, M. C., Kram, K. E. (2001). Reconceptualizing mentoring at work: A
developmental network perspective. Academy of Management Review 26(2), 264288. Available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/259122
In the article, the authors seek to redefine mentoring by extending literature that sees
mentoring as individuals receiving mentoring assistance from many people at any one
point in time, including senior colleagues, peers, family, and community members.
Operationalizing this theory, which incorporates social network research, may help you
begin to establish a developmental network that is more conducive to 21st century
workplaces, geared toward the goal of having strong ties with diverse network groups.
This type of developmental network is known as an entrepreneurial typology.
MY MENTORS
Provide a list of 5 individuals who have served as mentors to you in the past year, for
either personal or professional reasons.
Mentors Name
Affiliation
What instigated the
What insight did you
conversation?
gain from this mentor?
#1
Karen Friedman
Mother
I have always looked
I strive to be like my
up to my mother and
mother every day. Not
she is the first one I
only in the past year but
call when I have good my whole life. She never
or bad news.
judges me for anything
that I do and I has
taught me many life
lessons that I will pass
on to my children.
#2
Dr. DJ Diebold
Therapist
Two and a half years
I have gained a plethora
ago I was sent to see
of insight from this
DJ. Over that time
mentor. He has helped
period he became
me realize and become
more than just a
the strong woman that I
therapist. He became am today.
a father figure, friend
and a mentor.

#3

Bjorge LeSueur

Supervisor
at my
internship

Bjorge is my
supervisor at the
MLFTC Preschool
and I look up to her in
many different ways.

#4

Bailey Leggo

Peer/friend

Bailey is someone
that I have looked up
to before I was even
friends with her. We
have become friends
through mutual
friends.

#5

Patricia Barron

Supervisor
at
Arizonans
for
Children

Patty was my
supervisor at an
internship that I had
last year.

I gained from Bjorge


that doing something
you love; you will never
work a day in your life.
She has the dream job
that I want. Seeing how
happy she is and what
she did to get where she
is now is something that
I will take with me on
my journey.
That anything is
possible. I call Bailey
the Bionic woman
because she never stops.
She is a role model for
me and she has taught
me to work for what I
want and I will get it.
I learned from Patty that
social services is not the
career path that I want
to have.

Reflect about one of the mentors who had the most impact. What factors from the
Higgins and Kram article on developmental network do you think are the most influential
in supporting career change, personal learning, organizational commitment, and/or work
satisfaction? You may use direct quotes from the Higgins and Kram article, as long as
you create in-text citations. (200-300 words):
One of my mentors that has helped in the most in the past few years has been my
therapist Dr. DJ. Diebold. According to the article, There are two types of development
assistance: (1) career support, such as exposure and visibility, sponsorship, and
protection and (2) psychosocial support, such as friendship, counseling, acceptance and
confirmation, and sharing beyond work (Higgins & Kram, 2015, p.268). DJ did both
for me. I believe that he has had the most impact on my life because of the individual
factors from the article. I think that the individual level factors are the most important
because if someone does not want to be mentored then what bother doing it? The mentee
needs to want the help that they are receiving, feel safe, trust their mentor and seek
feedback as the article said. I also believe that moderating factors are also important
because, An individuals interaction style can affect the type of networks and
relationships the individual is able to form (Higgins et al., 2001, p. 276). To me, both of
them come from the individual themselves. I am a strong believer in picking a mentor

because you look up to them as a role model, want what they have, trust and feel safe
with them.
If an individual did not have the drive to make career changes, personal learning,
and organization commitment and/or work satisfaction why would someone want to
mentor them in the first place? That is why I believe the attitude and individual level of
the dyadic relationship is the most important thing. Dr. DJ Diebold is a true mentor for
me because Higgins and Kram wrote that, True mentors provide high amounts of both
career and psychosocial support (2015, p.269).

ANALYSIS OF MY MENTORS
#1 Mentors Name: Karen Friedman
Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.
My mother provides me with both career and psychosocial support. She is one of
my best friends and I tell her everything. As for providing me with career support she
used to proofread my school papers, she helps me when I have any questions about
school and helps support me finically so that I can concentrate on my school work.
When it comes to psychosocial support my mother is the first person I call. She
always knows the right thing to say and has helped me through very tough times. When I
am stressed I call her and she helps calm me down.
Diversity:
To what social system does person belong? Explain.
My mother is from Commack, New York and met my father at the age of 17 and
moved to Levittown Pennsylvania. My father and she established a business that did very
well for themselves where my mother hasnt had to work since they got a divorce over ten
years ago. She is a part of her community in a big way. Although, she lost she ran from
council woman and has made a very good name for herself in that community. She is on
the planning committee and is one of the smartest woman I know.
How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.
My mother is connected with one of my mentors. My mother is connected to my
therapist. We have gone in from family sessions when she is out in Arizona visiting me.
They have met multiple times and my mom hears a lot about what he has helped me with
through me. Although she has met Bailey briefly, I would not say she was connected to
her.
Relationship Strength:
Explain the level of emotional affect between you and this mentor.
The level of emotional affect is very strong.

Explain the level of reciprocity between you and this mentor.


I do not want to say that this mentor is a one sided street because I do feel as if I
help my mom out too. I am there when she needs to talk or needs someone to listen to her.
Even though, I know she doesnt call me with her real problems she knows that she
always can. We have the type of relationship where she helps me whenever I need it in
life, school or friends where I give her support in everything and anything that she does.
What is the frequency of communication between you and this mentor?
My mother and I talk at least once every two days.
Do you see your relationship with this person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship?
Strong tie, I would give my life for my mother.

#2 Mentors Name: Dr. DJ Diebold


Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.
At first DJ was a psychosocial support because I went to see him twice a week to
learn how to be a functionally human in society. He helped me in ways that I live my life
now that I can never fully repay him for. Over the years of seeing him he has now become
a career supporter because he has helped me get back into school in an area that I love.
Diversity:
To what social system does person belong? Explain.
DJ grew up in the military with four brothers. He is now 66 years old and a man
that I look up to every day. He is happily married without any children and loves his job
as a substance abuse counselor.
How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.
DJ knows my mother. We have come in for sessions together and he asked about
her once awhile to see how she is doing.
Relationship Strength:
Explain the level of emotional affect between you and this mentor.
The level of emotional affect between DJ and I is like father and daughter. I trust
him with my life and I tell him everything without ever being embarrassed or judgement.
He helps me overcome life stressors that potentially could lead me back to a life that I do
not want to be a part of anymore.
Explain the level of reciprocity between you and this mentor.
The only level of reciprocity that I can think of between me and DJ is that I give
him business and he gives me counseling. I pay him to listen to my life problems and get
the advice/feedback that I need to live my life.

What is the frequency of communication between you and this mentor?


I used to go see DJ twice a week to talk to him. It then went down to once a week
to now where I go in a talk to him once a month. The relationship I have with DJ allows
me to call him or text whenever I need to though.
Do you see your relationship with this person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship?
The relationship I have with DJ is beyond a strong tie. I tell this man everything
and anything and I know that in the future he would help me with anything that I need.

#3 Mentors Name: Bjorge LeSueur


Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.
Bjorge provides me with career support. She is currently my supervisor at the
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Preschool and I believe her to be a very big mentor
for me. She has two kids, a loving husband and in her mid-thirties. She has the ultimate
dream job of mine and she listens to me about issues going on at the preschool. She also
guides me and helps support me in everything I do there. She shares with me her advice,
wisdom and encourages me every day to be the best that I can be. We have a formal work
relationship now but every day we tend to have more conversation about personal things.
I am hoping that over the summer I have the change to work for her as a student worker.
Diversity:
To what social system does person belong? Explain.
Bjorge is the Assistant Director of the Mary Lou Fulton Teacher College. She has
two children of her own but they do not go to the preschool. She is smart, funny,
hardworking, dedicated and beautiful.
How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable. N/A
Relationship Strength:
Explain the level of emotional affect between you and this mentor.
There is no emotional affect between the two of us. That is something that I hope
to work in the future because I see her as a role model.
Explain the level of reciprocity between you and this mentor.
As of right now she gives me more than I give her. She is my supervisor and I
come in to do my internship and then leave. I internship at the MLFTC Preschool for my
capstone project so that I can graduate. In the next semester I will be building them a
sensory room where the children can go and play inside to develop their fine and gross

motor skills. By the end of next year our relationship will definitely become more
beneficial to each other.
What is the frequency of communication between you and this mentor?
I talk to Bjorge three times a week; if not more.
Do you see your relationship with this person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship?
At the moment of relationship is a weak tie but it growing stronger every day.

#4 Mentors Name: Bailey Leggo


Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.
Bailey provides me with psychosocial support. I look up to her because she is
very hard-working and can do anything that she puts her mind to. She is very driven and
I strive to be like her more every day. If I ever have a problem about anything I can go to
her and she will help me through it.
Diversity:
To what social system does person belong? Explain.
She works at REI and Hustons while attending school and working out every day.
She is of Mexican descent and 24 years old. Bailey is actually younger than me but I still
look up to her as a mentor to help me reach my goals.
How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable. N/A
Relationship Strength:
Explain the level of emotional affect between you and this mentor.
There is a lot of emotional affect between the both of us. We are not only very good
friends by we look out for each other on a daily basis.
Explain the level of reciprocity between you and this mentor.
We have a two way street in this relationship. We both help each other out all of the time
would give each other the shirt of our backs.
What is the frequency of communication between you and this mentor?
Every day; sometimes it just text messaging but we do tend to speak over the phone or in
person a lot.
Do you see your relationship with this person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship?
Strong tie

#5 Mentors Name: Patricia Barron

Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.
In the past year Patricia provided me with career support. I had an internship
under her at Arizonans for Children (A4C). After my internship I realized social service
was not a career I wanted to pursue. Although, she is still good to keep in my phonebook
for connects to future jobs she no longer works at Arizonians for children.
Diversity:
To what social system does person belong? Explain.
Patty worked with social services and Child protective services to supervised
non-custodial parents with their children. She was very good at her job and did not take
any back-lip for anyone. She is 26 years old from a Mexican descent. She graduated
college and got a better paying job somewhere else and left A4C.
How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.
Relationship Strength:
Explain the level of emotional affect between you and this mentor.
There was no real emotional affect between her and I. She mentored me as a
supervisor and nothing else.
Explain the level of reciprocity between you and this mentor.
Patty made me realize that social services was not the career path that I wanted
to take. I helped her out the best I could by coming in on my days off and when I was
finished my internship because she needed coverage. I worked very hard at A4C for her
and wee were both appreciative of the relationship that we had.
What is the frequency of communication between you and this mentor?
We do not talk anymore. But I know if I ever had a serious problem whether it be
work, school or personal I could always call her.
Do you see your relationship with this person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship?
I actually see this relationship as a weak tie.

ESTABLISH VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS


LinkedIn is a social networking tool used by professionals to connect with one another
and to stay connected, even if workplace changes occur.
Create a LinkedIn profile for yourself. Include a professional headshot, and wellconstructed summary. Add other additional and pertinent information by following the
guidelines in this article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2014/06/26/how-to-uselinkedin-5-smart-steps-to-career-success/
Connect with your instructor and/or academic associate so they can verify your profile.
Our URLs are in Blackboard, in the Instructor button.
Connect with any of the mentors on your list who also have LinkedIn accounts.

Paste your profile URL here. (Be sure it is the correct URL by looking to see that it has
your name in it. Example: www.linkedin.com/in/teresafoulger/en):
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/samantha-friedman/b6/181/9a7
GOALS TO DEVELOP MY DEVELOPMENTAL NETWORK
Summarize why it is desirable to have an entrepreneurial network. (100-150 words)
It is desirable to have an entrepreneurial network because it is a great way to be,
get or stay connected with people. Entrepreneurial networks provide education, moral
support and industry contacts. I would say that individually all of my networking has
been more traditional because most of my ties at one point have been above average or
strong but lately is has definitely become more entrepreneurial. I believe that is it also
desirable to have an entrepreneurial network because there are endless opportunities out
there if you can come across the correct people then together you and that person or
people can only make the ties, whether they be business or causal stronger.
In what way(s) is your existing developmental network conducive to becoming an
entrepreneurial network?
I do not really have an existing developmental network. I just started my LinkedIn
account and was actually amazed on how many people I knew on there and I rarely go on
my Facebook account. I do have more than one mentor right now both with strong ties so
that is one way it is becoming more of an entrepreneurial network.
Even though, I do not have a very strong developmental network I can make it
stronger by getting involved more with social organizations. Through this class I have
already started a Twitter and LinkedIn account. The resources that I can utilize through
LinkedIn amazes me.
I can connect with former bosses and possibly find a future one. I recently used
my Facebook account to get people to fill out a survey for a different class. It was easy to
post it on there and see how many people filled it out. Another way that my network is
going to become more of a entrepreneurial network if because over the summer I am
going to start a GoFundMe and a Pitchfunder account to raise money for my Capstone
project. If I can get those on different sites the opportunities are higher to allow me to
reach my goal. Having a strong network can only open up doors for me when I am
looking for my future career. I find myself with this Capstone project meeting new and
different people every day which in the end makes my network stronger.
What activities will help you strengthen the diversity within your network?
Things I could do in a day: Find more people with different backgrounds or job titles on
LinkedIn. Find other websites to join and create profiles.
Things I will do this month: Continue to keep my site and search for diversity. I can go
out of my comfort zone and start to ask people to join me in my Capstone.
Things I will do within a year: Travel to Costa Rica and possibly get some strong ties
there.
What activities will help you strengthen the relationships within your network?

Things I could do in a day: I can sit down and search for more people that I know, begin
to connect with more people on LinkedIn. I could get in touch with Patty because we do
not talk anymore.
Things I will do this month: I can continue to go to my internship even thought my hours
will be completed. I can hold a dinner party for my mentors and have them come over to
talk outside of the business world. I could also practice asking for help when I need it
and letting them know when I am not okay.
Things I will do within a year: Work at MLFTC Preschool as a student worker. I can also
finish my capstone project and becoming better connected with the other woman in the
Educational Department that are on my team.

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