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The interaction of narcissism, agreeableness and conscientiousness in entrepreneurial mentoring: Implications for learning outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Soumaya Meddeb

    (UQTR - University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres)

  • Étienne St-Jean

    (UQTR - University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres)

  • Andreas Rauch

    (Audencia Business School)

Abstract

The personality configuration of mentors and mentees is important in understanding mentoring outcomes. While the best mentors appear to have higher degrees of agreeableness and conscientiousness, entrepreneurs generally score lower on agreeableness and have higher degrees of narcissism, a personality trait that could be detrimental to mentoring. We investigated the interaction of narcissism with two traits from the Big Five Inventory, namely agreeableness and conscientiousness, to see how this interaction influenced learning from the relationship of mentee entrepreneurs. Our findings suggest that mentee narcissism negatively influences learning, and mentor agreeableness mitigates the negative effects on mentee learning. These findings show certain beneficial personality configurations in entrepreneurial mentoring and provide elements to consider in managerial practice when pairing mentors and mentees in this context.

Suggested Citation

  • Soumaya Meddeb & Étienne St-Jean & Andreas Rauch, 2024. "The interaction of narcissism, agreeableness and conscientiousness in entrepreneurial mentoring: Implications for learning outcomes," Post-Print hal-04701307, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04701307
    DOI: 10.1177/02662426231223939
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://audencia.hal.science/hal-04701307v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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