CHEST Guidelines-Working-With-a-Mentor_2018

Working-With-a-Mentor_2018_chest

Pdf Summary

The article "Working With a Mentor" by Lisa K. Moores, MD, Aaron B. Holley, MD, and Jacob F. Collen, MD, explores the importance of mentorship in academic medicine. Mentorship is a relationship where an experienced mentor provides career and psychosocial support to a less experienced mentee, aiding their professional development. Effective mentorship leads to career progression, increased satisfaction, and better faculty retention, while lack of mentorship can hinder advancement or cause the mentee to leave the institution.<br /><br />Key strategies for a successful mentorship include finding a competent, committed, and well-positioned mentor who can provide varied support such as sponsorship, coaching, and exposure to new opportunities. Prior to choosing a mentor, a mentee should clarify their goals, needs, and communication style and seek mentors who share common backgrounds, values, and interests. The mentee should consider assembling a network of mentors to fulfill diverse personal and professional needs.<br /><br />An effective mentor-mentee relationship requires active participation and clear goal setting. Mentees should take initiative, prepare for meetings, be open to feedback, and respect the mentor’s time. Establishing structured communication and setting clear expectations promote fruitful mentorship. Additionally, mentorship should be evaluated regularly for its effectiveness, reflecting on the mentor’s abilities and the relationship dynamics.<br /><br />Challenges in mentorship, such as overcommitment and ineffective relationships, require assertive communication and boundaries. If a mentorship becomes dysfunctional, parting ways should focus on gratitude and personal growth rather than conflict.<br /><br />Ultimately, successful mentorship is characterized by mutual respect, reciprocity, and shared goals, enhancing career satisfaction and development in academic medicine.

Keywords

mentorship

academic medicine

career development

mentor-mentee relationship

professional growth

effective communication

goal setting

network of mentors

career satisfaction

relationship dynamics