LTG Telita Crosland, MD- Keys to Successful Mentorship- What Should a Mentor Know?

WarDocs - The Military Medicine Podcast

Dr. Crosland is a graduate of West Point and the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. She is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She has held many significant responsibilities in her Army Medicine Career. She currently serves as the Director of the Defense Health Agency.

On this episode of our Military Medical Mentorship Moments Series, LTG Crosland focuses on important things that successful mentors know. You will hear her provide insightful answers to the following questions:

1. How do you choose a Mentee?
2. What are the characteristics of effective mentors?
3. How many Mentees should you have? Does it matter?
4. What are some Mentor competencies?
5. What “process skills” are necessary for Mentors
6. How do you know you are ready to be a Mentor?
7. How do you prepare to be a mentor?
8. What are some “Don’ts” for a Mentor
9. What do you do if the relationship is not working out or you just want out?

Personal Reflections on Mentorship

1. Who was your most influential mentor? Why
2. What was the best advice you got from a mentor?
3. What do you know now that you wish you would have learned much earlier?
4. What characterizes a “good” or “not so good” mentorship relationship from your experience? Provide examples
5. What is some practical advice for someone interested in mentoring or being mentored? What are the next steps to take?

Telita shares many insights and mentorship lessons learned over a distinguished career. You don’t want to miss this special episode!

Take Home Messages

1. Mentorship in military healthcare is a critical aspect of professional development, with nuances unique to the armed forces environment.
2. Effective mentors within the military medicine context are approachable, self-aware, and invested in the growth and development of their mentees.
3. A successful mentor-mentee relationship requires clear communication, commitment from both parties, and the alignment of career guidance with personal aspirations.
4. Mentors in military healthcare often have to navigate their mentees' professional paths while considering work-life balance and family commitments.
5. One key to effective mentorship is the mentor's ability to provide honest feedback and advocate for their mentees when necessary.
6. It's essential for mentors to avoid imposing their own career ambitions on mentees, as this can strain the relationship and hinder the mentee's individual growth.
7. Mentorship is a dynamic process, and the readiness to mentor comes when one becomes genuinely excited about aiding in the development of others.
8. Mentors should proactively reach out to potential mentees they believe they can help, showcasing the proactive nature of mentorship in fostering future leaders.
9. Both mentors and mentees can benefit from formal mentorship programs, but the most impactful relationships are often organic and based on mutual respect and investment.
10. Mentorship is not just about climbing the ranks; it's about lifting others as you go, embodying the ethos of leadership within the military healthcare system.

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