Care to dare: cross-lagged effects of mentor secure-base support on newcomers' workplace courage

Abstract

Purpose Mentor secure-base support, characterized as mentor availability, noninterference and encouragement of growth, has important implications for newcomer socialization. Drawing on attachment theory, this paper aims to examine the relationship between mentor secure-base support and newcomers' workplace courage. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected at three time points with a new police officer sample ( n = 124). A cross-lagged panel design was used to test the hypotheses. Findings Mentor secure-base support is causally precedent to newcomers' workplace courage, whereas the reverse relationship from workplace courage to mentor secure-base support was not held. Practical implications To help newcomers integrate into their organization and enhance their workplace courage, organizations should actively promote and foster mentoring relationships in which mentors can provide a secure base for mentees. Originality/value The authors' findings support that newcomers' workplace courage can be cultivated by mentor secure-base support. It provides insight for organizations to explore workplace courage development for newcomers.