Competencies
| Mentor competencies | Mentor best practices | Mentee competencies |
| Create an inclusive and welcoming environment to work and conduct research free from harassment, discrimination, and bullying – from both the PI and other lab members. | Be mindful of unconscious biases when interacting with trainees. Recognize that individual trainees face different challenges, based on their background or previous experiences. | Contribute to an inclusive and welcoming work environment and conduct research free from harassment, discrimination, and bullying. |
| Create an environment where people can express ideas freely and openly. | Practice active listening and manage discussions to ensure that everyone can contribute. | Contribute to an environment where people can express ideas freely and openly. Voice your ideas and opinions in a respectful manner. |
| Foster a lab environment of constructive behavior and mutual support. | Discuss with your mentees steps that you can take to make your environment more conducive to everyone doing their best work. | Contribute to a lab environment of constructive behavior and mutual support. |
| Create a framework to address lab conflicts, such as scientific, authorship, or behavioral challenges. | Help mentees learn and practice negotiation and conflict resolution skills. | Understand what is expected of you in terms of managing lab or personnel conflicts. Seek advice/support for addressing problems when needed (see Resources). |
Suggestions/Resources
Refer to the Mentoring Resources page for supporting materials and training opportunities.
- Lab-level training by Hallie Dowling-Huppert and scenarios discussed therein.
- BioREFS
Potential pitfalls for mentors
- Regularly speaking over trainees in meetings or talks.
- Harshly criticizing or dismissing any trainee’s ideas or suggestions.
- Badmouthing trainees in front of others.
- Promoting, or not addressing, a dynamic of competition between trainees.
- Inadequately managing the real or perceived overlap of trainees’ work.
- Real or perceived favoritism of some mentees over others.
- Real or perceived lack of concern and caring about trainee morale, mental health, or interpersonal matters.