Mentors can make a huge difference. But how do you find one? How should a mentor help a protégé? What are the tactics that make the relationship work? Science has some answers.
Thank you Charles. This essay really resonates with what we found in our study of NIH primary care fellows. Mentorship wasn’t just helpful—it was one of the strongest predictors of who actually went on to publish, get grants, and stay in research. Fellows with sustained, engaged mentors were far more productive and much more likely to build academic careers.
Your comment reminds me of my experience. I had the good fortune of getting to know a splendid mentor while I was in a Ph.D. program in English. He steered opportunities my way, and we wound up collaborating on a conference presentation. When I became a professor myself, I paid it forward with students I mentored.
Your comment reminds me of my experience. I had the good fortune of getting to know a splendid mentor while I was in a Ph.D. program in English. He steered opportunities my way, and we wound up collaborating on a conference presentation. When I became a professor myself, I paid it forward with students I mentored.
Thanks for the insights on a fascinating and important topic. As a professor and college administrator, I really enjoy serving as a mentor to students and alumni who show promise and interest. Just this month, in fact, I spent some time with a young alum on a tour I was leading in Philadelphia. During the free afternoon, he joined two historians and me for visits to a couple of museums. Later, I was telling my wife what an extraordinary experience it was for him. (I hope he agreed!) He’s a budding intellectual, and he got to spend about four hours experiencing history and interacting with three people with a decades of experience among them. This was not a formal mentorship by any means, but I think it was impactful.
Coming from anyone other than Charles Duhigg, I would not pay attention to another post on mentorship. I appreciate this and would like to get clearer and more defined on mentors and proteges. I want to remove any confusion or distractions with life coaches, business coaches, transformational guides, or communications consultants.
I really enjoyed your writing where science is interpreted with stories that are really, really interesting.
At the moment I'm writing a book and as I'm not a researcher, scientist (nor a writer, for that matter), that I feel it would help a lot to have a mentor. But it's become increasingly hard, because I've only found people that are interested only with money at the table.
And as an etymology lover, I really enjoyed you commenced with the origins of the word mentor, because at times culture tends to twist the original meeting. The idea of reconnecting to purpose and mental fortitude is a thing mentors these days tend to forget.
As I've been a mentor in entrepreneurship and wanting now to migrate to creative mentorship, this article brings really interesting points. Thank you.
I’ve found one of the biggest benefits of mentorship is the virtuous cycle it creates. It’s because I had a wonderful mentor that I sought to provide mentorship to others. And my mentees, in turn, sought to do the same. One good deed leads to many, many more
I first want to say I admire your work greatly and have bought and read your books.
Here’s the however, there are no women bar Athena, the original mentor, in your examples. Even P. Diddy gets a mention despite his appalling behaviour which is more like grooming than mentoring.
Could we please have a wider and more inspirational group of examples of those who are doing good in the world.
Otherwise an interesting article reminding me of the importance of the mentor / mentee relationship and how valuable it can be.
Thank you Charles. This essay really resonates with what we found in our study of NIH primary care fellows. Mentorship wasn’t just helpful—it was one of the strongest predictors of who actually went on to publish, get grants, and stay in research. Fellows with sustained, engaged mentors were far more productive and much more likely to build academic careers.
This is wonderful to hear. Thank goodness for physicians, mid-career, who are willing to train the next generation. It makes a huge difference.
Your comment reminds me of my experience. I had the good fortune of getting to know a splendid mentor while I was in a Ph.D. program in English. He steered opportunities my way, and we wound up collaborating on a conference presentation. When I became a professor myself, I paid it forward with students I mentored.
Your comment reminds me of my experience. I had the good fortune of getting to know a splendid mentor while I was in a Ph.D. program in English. He steered opportunities my way, and we wound up collaborating on a conference presentation. When I became a professor myself, I paid it forward with students I mentored.
Thanks for the insights on a fascinating and important topic. As a professor and college administrator, I really enjoy serving as a mentor to students and alumni who show promise and interest. Just this month, in fact, I spent some time with a young alum on a tour I was leading in Philadelphia. During the free afternoon, he joined two historians and me for visits to a couple of museums. Later, I was telling my wife what an extraordinary experience it was for him. (I hope he agreed!) He’s a budding intellectual, and he got to spend about four hours experiencing history and interacting with three people with a decades of experience among them. This was not a formal mentorship by any means, but I think it was impactful.
I am absolutely sure he will remember that trip forever.
Thanks, Charles. So will I!
Coming from anyone other than Charles Duhigg, I would not pay attention to another post on mentorship. I appreciate this and would like to get clearer and more defined on mentors and proteges. I want to remove any confusion or distractions with life coaches, business coaches, transformational guides, or communications consultants.
Thank you! I hope you liked it!
Great post, Charles.
I really enjoyed your writing where science is interpreted with stories that are really, really interesting.
At the moment I'm writing a book and as I'm not a researcher, scientist (nor a writer, for that matter), that I feel it would help a lot to have a mentor. But it's become increasingly hard, because I've only found people that are interested only with money at the table.
And as an etymology lover, I really enjoyed you commenced with the origins of the word mentor, because at times culture tends to twist the original meeting. The idea of reconnecting to purpose and mental fortitude is a thing mentors these days tend to forget.
As I've been a mentor in entrepreneurship and wanting now to migrate to creative mentorship, this article brings really interesting points. Thank you.
I’ve found one of the biggest benefits of mentorship is the virtuous cycle it creates. It’s because I had a wonderful mentor that I sought to provide mentorship to others. And my mentees, in turn, sought to do the same. One good deed leads to many, many more
I first want to say I admire your work greatly and have bought and read your books.
Here’s the however, there are no women bar Athena, the original mentor, in your examples. Even P. Diddy gets a mention despite his appalling behaviour which is more like grooming than mentoring.
Could we please have a wider and more inspirational group of examples of those who are doing good in the world.
Otherwise an interesting article reminding me of the importance of the mentor / mentee relationship and how valuable it can be.