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On Mentoring and Being Mentored Part I. Gary C. Schoenwolf, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy Adjunct Professor, Department of Pediatrics Director, Children’s Health Research Center. Twelve Principles of Mentorship.
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On Mentoring and Being Mentored Part I Gary C. Schoenwolf, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy Adjunct Professor, Department of Pediatrics Director, Children’s Health Research Center
Principle #1 Principals of Mentorship Mentor(s) & Trainee (“Mentoree”) Mentorship = professional relationship Should lead to the formation of colleagues = partners/partnerships In a research relationship, it should lead to principal investigators
Principle #2 Mentorship is Active Not Passive The mentor and trainee must develop a plan for the trainee’s career development--without planning it doesn’t happen The trainee must follow the plan--mentorship is not something that is done to some one; the trainee must be actively involved in making his/her career development happen (teachers teach and learners learn but teachers don’t learn students) The plan must be reviewed periodically to ensure that career development is on-track; flexibility is important
Four Questions: What do you want to accomplish in your career? In what time period (short- and long-term goals)? Where do you want to work (geography and field)? With whom do you want to work? What is a Career Plan?
What is a Career Plan (cont.)? Four More Questions: Have your considered what sacrifices will be necessary? Have you thought realistically about your responsibilities, desires, strengths and weaknesses? Can you deal with roadblocks, detours and new opportunities (carpe diem)? Are you flexible and open to change?
Principle #3 The Best Mentorship is Founded on Mutual Respect Mentor respects the trainee and is interested in his/her welfare (prime motivator: what’s best for the trainee; almost parental) & The trainee respects the mentor and views him/her as a “role” model
Principle #4 Mentorship Should Be for Fun and Profit It should be mutually beneficial!
Mentorship Should be Mutually Beneficial for the Partners/Partnership
But Balance is Important!!!
Principle #5 Mentorship Involves Having Share Expectations Its purpose must be mutually understood
What is the Purpose of Mentorship? Primary purpose: Career development (e.g., grooming the next generation of physician scientists)--having a realistic plan for career development is essential
What is the Purpose of Mentorship? Secondary purpose: To achieve the mission of the University and the Department (the clinical, advocacy/service, research and education missions): to do one’s job well
Principle #6 Having Shared Expectations Leads to Great Expectations And great accomplishments!
Principle #7 Mentorship is Like Obscenity “Can’t really define it, but I know it when I see it” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart
How to Find a Mentor Be Proactive, Talk to Peers and Seek Them Out
Principle #8 When it Comes to Mentors, Polygamy is Good Constantly seek out new/additional mentors throughout your career
Principle #9 Good Mentors are Always Busy People Do not be deterred; be persistent
How to be a Mentor In General: Learn to do Your Job Well Be Willing to Teach Be Concerned about the Career Development of Others Why? Because it is the right thing to do Because it is a form of teaching (one of a faculty member’s jobs) And, because it is mutually beneficial
How to be a Mentor Specifically: Learn How to Mentor from Your Mentors (as well as how not to mentor) How do they interact with others; how do they respond to failure; how do they respond to success; how do they organize and carry out their thoughts, time, projects; how do they promote their trainees; how do they do their job?
Principle #10 Be a Mentor, Build Character Your Own “The most important thing a mentor can do is to have an overwhelming desire to see the person being mentored succeed.” William Spicer, Stanford University, 2000 Recipient of the AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award.
Be a Mentor, Build Character “Do not measure incoming people by the standards of your very best protégé. Accept the fact that some people are going to be less than perfect.” “Have a lot of patience, and be willing to spend a lot of time.” “The very best people need you the least.” “. . . tailor your programs to change as your trainees change.” “. . . have high expectations for everyone.”
How to be Mentored Learn to do Your Job Well Be “Mentorable” (Teachable) Be Concerned about the Career Development of Others
Principle #11 Your Success is Based Largely on How Well You are Mentored, What You Take Away From the Mentoring Process, and How Well You Mentor
Principle #12 Mentorship Should Be for Fun and Profit
What is a Successful Physician Scholar? Definition/Expectation: CARE Provides quality (excellent) clinical care: physicians practice medicine Provides quality basic or clinical research/scholarship (publication): advances field beyond walls Provides quality teaching/mentorship: trains next generation Provides quality service/advocacy: advances discipline Over time: one or more areas will be emphasized according to passions, strengths and opportunities/constraints Remember: not alone and it takes time (potential is important)
Redefining Protected Time Protected Time is Not Research Time Rather it is usually everything except clinical time When do you teach, do administration, advocacy, take vacations, spend time with your family? What does 40% protected time mean? How many hours per week? Think: Clinical time, Teaching time, Service time, Research time, Personal time?
