Mentoring Conversations That Matter: Tools and Strategies for Growth

Mentoring is a cornerstone of academic and professional development, yet many faculty struggle to foster truly impactful mentoring relationships. To deepen their mentoring practice, this interactive workshop introduces participants to practical tools and strategies from The Encouraging Mentor: Your Guide to 40 Conversations that Matter. Designed for faculty at all career stages, the session will focus on facilitating meaningful conversations that inspire growth, encourage curiosity, and build trust. Participants will explore actionable methods to initiate and sustain mentoring relationships, including conversation prompts that help uncover mentees' goals, values, and potential. We will discuss how to tailor mentoring approaches to diverse needs and contexts, emphasizing inclusive practices and flexibility. Key topics include fostering psychological safety, navigating cross-difference mentoring, and balancing encouragement with constructive challenge. Through hands-on activities and group discussions, attendees will practice using conversation tools and develop strategies for applying these techniques in their mentoring contexts. The session will also introduce free resources, such as videos and worksheets, to support participants in extending their learning and integrating the tools into their mentoring practices.