Conflicts between team members can arise from ineffective communication. To help them overcome these issues, mentors can facilitate dialogue between them. Dialogue is a form of communication that seeks to create mutual understanding, respect, and trust. It involves listening deeply, speaking authentically, and suspending judgment.
Mentors can create a safe and comfortable space for their team members to share their views and experiences, ask thoughtful questions, and investigate and mediate any disagreements or tensions. Having a good mentor early in a career can make a huge difference in any field. Adrian Lee, Carina Dennis, and Philip Campbell have discussed the characteristics of a good mentor. Science Mentoring Research provides guidelines and resources for developing high-quality research and evaluation studies for career and career guidance in STEM fields. Mentoring can be formal or informal; however, it is important to remember that it takes time to develop a successful mentoring relationship. Mentoring relationships help mentees develop trust, competence, and credibility.
It is important to note that just because someone has been at a job for a long time does not necessarily mean they are a good mentor. Additionally, research has found that women of color in STEM fields often do not have access to quality mentoring or even mentors at all. Virtual tutoring has made it easier for people to participate in mentoring relationships. Smith and Johnson's research suggested that male mentors treat their male and female protégés differently, resulting in different outcomes. This story highlights the importance of mentors not only in resolving conflicts but also in fostering a culture of continuous learning and recognition. In addition, the men included in the study received special mentoring sponsorship from their mentors who advocated for them to senior executives.
This type of mentorship is invaluable for protégés as it helps them gain recognition and credibility.
