Becoming a Mentor to Others

By: Melissa MacDonald, MD

June 13, 2019

This post is a part of our Life as a Fellow blog post series. This series includes "fellow life lessons" from current trainees in leadership with CHEST.

As I enter the second half of fellowship, I have discovered that in addition to advancing my skills and knowledge as a clinician, there are new roles I am stepping into—most notably, as a mentor. Recently, in addition to colleagues just behind me in training approaching me for advice, medical students and interns have also asked me for advice about their futures.

This gave me another reason for the imposter syndrome of fellowship resulting in the question: “Do I have enough experience to mentor junior trainees?” After a few more of these junior trainees approached me for advice and with some reflection, I realized that I have learned a tremendous amount throughout my training that may help others. I learned that as a current fellow I can serve a more unique role as a mentor to these trainees than as an attending, simply because of my proximity in level of training to these mentees.

While I may not be able to answer questions about life as an attending or about various career path options within pulmonary/critical care, there are so many other ways I can help guide medical students and residents as they are trying to determine their future specialties, applying for residency or fellowship, and figuring out how to maintain a sense of life balance while in training.

I recalled how comforting it was to have my own mentors along the way who were just a few steps ahead of me in training; these were the individuals I could go to with questions that seemed too embarrassing or personal to ask an attending who I may not know as well.

Just as I have relied heavily on mentors along the way, many successful professionals have mentors who have advised them at a formative point on their career path. Therefore, it is only natural that as we progress in our own careers we will also fall into the role of mentor and should work to become the strongest mentors possible. After contemplating which qualities I have observed and appreciated in my own mentors, these are the key conclusions I have reached.

“The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.”

— Steven Spielberg

1. Don’t doubt yourself: You’ve made it to this point in your training because of your own skills and the guidance you have received from your own mentors. You’ve accumulated skills, stories, and advice along the way, so you are bound to have some words of wisdom to share as well.
2. Know your limits: Just as you likely have numerous mentors, each with their own areas of expertise, you will have your own limitations and will not have all of the answers. Your role is to provide guidance and encouragement as your mentee works to find his or her own path. Don’t be afraid to tell a mentee that you don’t know an answer but don’t leave it at that. Search for the answer or point them in the direction of someone who may be more likely to provide guidance.
3. Be flexible and available: I have different types of relationships with my own mentors—some are very professional interactions while others are more similar to a close friendship with the mentor serving as a confidant. Know that your relationships with your mentees may change as you advance in your own career or may vary from mentee to mentee depending on what they are looking for in the mentor-mentee relationship. Regardless, when you meet with your mentee, be present, engaged and an active listener. This will help you to achieve the goal of developing an open and honest relationship built on mutual trust and respect. We all know that time is limited and very valuable for us as fellows, but being a mentor does not need to be a large time commitment. I seem to begin most of my mentor-mentee relationships with junior trainees who happen to be on service with me, which makes it easy to take a few minutes to answer questions and share advice as we walk through the halls or wrap up work for the day. Beyond that, I have learned that sending a simple email or text to check in with the mentee periodically can be a great way to communicate when time is limited in both your schedules. If you do have time to coordinate a few minutes of face-to-face time, grabbing a cup of coffee or a quick lunch together can go a long way as well.
4. Be honest: While a great mentor is also a cheerleader who provides encouragement and inspiration for a mentee in order to help them fulfill their potential, it is also crucial to be honest. It is important to be tactful and truthful when assessing your mentee’s progress or evaluating his/her skills.
5. No gesture of support is too small: Bear in mind that even minor gestures of kindness or support from a mentor can have a major impact on the mentee; for example, consider sending a text of encouragement or email prior to a conference presentation or reassurance before an exam, sharing an interesting patient case or journal article, or praising an accomplishment or milestone. All of these can go a long way in your mentor-mentee relationship.
6. You may learn something along the way too: As I have had more interactions with junior trainees trying to find their path, I have realized that I learn more about myself and my own journey as I help others and you may too. Reflecting on the path I have taken thus far and the advice I have received has allowed me to better consider what I too am looking for in my future, which will hopefully help me in my next steps. Also, mentoring someone with a different background and life experiences or of a different age group can provide you as the mentor with a new perspective and ideas that you may not have encountered previously. Although I am still learning and will continue to learn throughout my career, I have already discovered that being a mentor can be extremely rewarding.

“Mentoring is a two-way street. You get out what you put in.”

— Steve Washington

Melissa MacDonald, MD, is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Wisconsin where she is also currently a second year pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow.