Mentoring.
It's in our genes.
Preamble
As science faculty, we are expected to produce high-quality scientific research. While this is a central goal, it is accomplished by leading teams of students, postdocs, and research staff. Thus, our success in producing research is inextricably linked to the significant role we play as mentors to the researchers in our labs. We believe that prioritizing the needs of researchers and focusing on providing high-quality mentorship leads to greater creativity, and ultimately productivity, in our research programs.
By taking the #MentorFirst Pledge, you are making a commitment to prioritize the professional development, career goals, and general well-being of the members of your research lab as they develop as scientists and pursue their personal and professional goals.
I pledge to be a #MentorFirst and will demonstrate my commitment to this pledge by putting into practice each of the action items in the #MentorFirst Commitments.
I endorse the #MentorFirst pledge. I would like to see all academic research advisors take the pledge and put into practice each of the action items in the #MentorFirst Commitments.
Pledge Commitments
+ Best Practices
- Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, mutual respect, and trust.
- Discuss as a group how to ensure that everyone feels welcome and has an equal opportunity for success.
- Engage in self-education about inclusive mentoring practices.
- Be kind and helpful when describing areas for growth and be specific and frequent in your praise for good work.
- When conflicts or issues arise in the group, deal with them through open dialogue. Forgive mistakes, and recognize everyone in the group is growing.
+ Best Practices
- Provide group members with a balance of autonomy and guidance to support their growth as independent researchers and problem-solvers.
- Support your mentees in pursuing all career paths.
- Encourage participating in professional development activities that help mentees explore their preferred career options (e.g. teaching, internships, outreach).
- Be intentional in providing mentoring on both research and professional development topics.
+ Best Practices
- Encourage mentees to maintain an Individual Development Plan and offer to meet regularly to discuss progress and changes to the plan.
- Show compassion and empathy; assume positive intent in your mentees.
- Make time to regularly engage with your mentees.
- Be willing to listen and learn from your mentees.
+ Best Practices
- Regular and open communication is key to mentoring success.
- Be transparent about expected time-to-degree and funding options (e.g., grant support, Fellowships, Teaching Assistant expectations).
- Make your mentorship and communication style well known.
- For transparency, provide above-listed information on your website (preferred) or in lab manual.
+ Best Practices
- Provide clear lab policies about vacation and time-off, and encourage lab members to avail themselves of this time to achieve life balance.
- Be open about your own hobbies and activities outside the lab.
- Plan or nominate someone in your lab to plan a regular fun group activity.
+ Best Practices
- Be willing to share your own struggles and failures.
- See mentorship and leadership as a constant learning process. Engage in learning to grow your leadership and communication skills.
- Remain open to constructive feedback on how you can improve as a leader and mentor.
- Coach the members of your lab so that they can grow as mentors and leaders as well.
+ Best Practices
- Your mentees are likely to view you as an example of success, so carry yourself accordingly. Model a humble, always-learning, always professional attitude.
- Stay in touch with your mentees after their formal appointment on your research team has ended. Strong mentorship means a lifelong relationship.
- Remember that how you mentor doesn’t just impact your current group members. Many (if not most) of them will go on to lead and mentor others, and they will emulate what they see you do and say. Thus, your mentoring impacts generations of future scientists.
