Seeking Support from Multiple Developers: Assessing Optimal Structure, Content, Antecedents, and Outcomes of Developmental Networks

Our chapter focuses on the concept of a “developmental network” which includes individuals from one’s personal spheres of life outside organizational boundaries (e.g., family, friends, and neighbors) and within one’s professional sphere (e.g., peers, juniors, and seniors enacting mentoring and/or coaching) who may be invested in their growth and development. While research on the role of relationships in HRD has advanced considerably in the last 20 years, there is a dearth of research applying an evaluation perspective to developmental networks. We use the lens of evaluation to examine how one can proactively assess and leverage the potential of multiple one-on-one developmental relationships to positively impact performance, development, career success, and leadership. In doing so, the following key questions will be addressed: Why is it critical to design and assess developmental relationships at the network level? How do protégés, developers, and the organizational context shape the content (type of support) and the structure (the ties that comprise the networks) of developmental networks? How can we meaningfully assess the outcomes of developmental networks for developers and developees? Our chapter begins with an illustrative vignette that is carried throughout to demonstrate the practical value of using a developmental network perspective.