Mentorship for Life Balance Success

Abstract

Life balance success and the role played by mentors may look slightly different in each phase of one’s academic surgical career starting in premed and medical school and continuing throughout life. Academic success focus shifts from test scores to cognitive and technical skills combined with teaching, research, and leadership potential. Mentors serve not only as advisors, but they also motivate, nurture self-confidence, model behavior, counsel, and introduce mentees to other persons who can assist in both career and personal development. Mentors understand emotional intelligence and encourage healthy interpersonal relationships in the workplace as well as with family, partners, and friends. Hopefully, the mentee matures into a mentor for those coming behind as life experiences contribute to knowledge and, hopefully, wisdom to share with the surgeons that one establishes associations with as teacher, coach, leader, colleague, and friend.