Shifting your mindset on mentoring

Are you one of those people that desires to have a positive and impactful mentoring relationship but aren't sure how to go about it? Maybe it's time to rethink how you view mentoring and focus less on a person-based model and more on a needs-based model. Check out these tips from a recent edition of the Monday Motivator, a weekly motivational email from the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD):

• Make simple adjustments to how you think about mentoring. This can help you get your needs met, focus your energy, and increase your productivity.
• Shift your thinking and your language about mentoring to focus on two questions: 1) What do I need? and 2) How can I get my needs met?
• Once you know what you need, ask for help.
• Remember, there is no one perfect mentor. See what opens up when you replace that limiting belief with the idea that you can get your needs met from a wide variety of people.
• Take advantage of any mentoring programs your university or professional organizations offer. They may not meet all of your needs, but they will increase the size of your professional network and the number of people you can call to assist you when you need it.

UCSB faculty and grad students are able to get free access to NCFDD by following these easy steps to register. NCFDD membership provides a series of mentoring services, including workshops focused on research and writing strategies, networking opportunities, and other forms of professional support and development. Once you register, you can view the full Monday Motivator article here.

Interested in more in-depth courses and training? Register for these upcoming workshops through your account:

• Guest Webinar: Imposter Syndrome: How to Recognize it, Overcome it, and Realize your Academic Goals, Thursday, November 16, 1-2:30 p.m. PST
• Core Curriculum: ​Every Semester Needs a Plan, Thursday, January 11, 2018, 11-12:30 p.m. PST