Communication standards

Competencies

Mentor competencies Mentor best practices Mentee competencies
Provide direct, honest, and respectful communication. Be willing to have difficult conversations to address differences or problems. Accommodate different communication and work styles and implement strategies to improve communication. Practice active listening in conversations with mentees. Provide direct, honest, and respectful communication. Be willing to have difficult conversations to address differences or problems.
Establish expectations for meeting frequency and format (and meet them). Adjust the frequency and modality of meetings with mentees as needed. Discuss with your mentor if the format/frequency of meetings is difficult or problematic for you.
Establish what constitutes timely communication for you; respond to messages and requests in this manner. Acknowledge work-life boundaries. Discuss work-life integration and strategies with your mentees. Understand expectations for timely communication and respond to messages and requests in accordance with these expectations.
Maintain a professional and courteous tone in conversations and messages/emails. Maintain a professional and courteous tone in conversations and messages/emails.
Provide contingencies in cases of sabbatical/leave/travel. Proactively check in with trainees, especially if you are not available over some period. Communicate your schedule and constraints to your mentor.

 Suggestions/Resources

Refer to the Mentoring Resources page for supporting materials and training opportunities.

  • Explain your communication and meeting expectations in your mentoring compact.
  • Be aware that it is hard to convey tone in digital communications; compose messages accordingly.
  • Many people at MIT can help you prepare to have constructive conversations about difficult topics.
  • For any biology department member: Hallie, Ombuds office.
  • For grad students and student advisors: Graduate Officer, graduate committee members, GradSupport, thesis committee members.
  • For faculty: senior faculty with relevant experience.
  • For postdocs: HR professionals in each building; senior faculty with relevant experience.

 Potential pitfalls for mentors (drawn from examples provided by trainees)

  • Avoiding issues of potential conflict, or not engaging with trainees when things aren’t going well or there are concerns to address.
  • Assuming mentees understand standard expectations and etiquette in academia