Today, during the seminar “Styles and Techniques of Communication in the Medical Field,” I was asked by a participant if I would be willing to be their mentor in communication.
📌 How do you choose a mentor?
✅️ Choosing a mentor is a very personal process, and it can be crucial for both your professional and personal development.
✅️ Often, a mentor doesn’t just come to you or isn’t “brought” by someone; instead, you choose them and build the relationship as you clarify your needs and goals. Here are some key aspects to consider:
1. Define your goals and expectations🎨
Before seeking a mentor, clarify what you hope to achieve: whether it’s advancing professionally, improving your leadership skills, or developing personally. Your goals will guide your criteria for choosing the right mentor.
2. Observe who inspires you and whom you resonate with 🎯
Mentors can come in various forms: a superior, an experienced colleague, or even someone from outside your workplace with expertise in your field of interest. Observe the people you admire, not just for their success but also for their values, work ethic, and behavior.
3. Essential qualities of a mentor 🎭
📌 Experience and competence in your area of interest.
📌 Empathy and patience to understand and respond to your needs.
📌 The ability to provide constructive feedback and challenge you to push beyond your limits.
📌 Openness to communication and availability to support you when needed.
📌 Integrity and being a positive example, as a mentor is a source of inspiration not only in professional activities but also as a model of conduct.
✅️ My answer was “YES.”
