Finding a Mentor in Dentistry

Episode #390 with Dr. Kevin Groth & Dr. Zachary Sisler

Every dentist needs a mentor. And, eventually, every dentist needs to become a mentor. But how do you find one — a great one — and build a relationship? For an idea of what an amazing mentorship looks like, Kirk Behrendt brings in Dr. Kevin Growth and Dr. Zachary Sisler to share their mentorship journey and the important lessons that being a mentor and mentee has taught them. Mentorship is a two-way street! To learn the key things to look for when seeking mentorship, listen to Episode 390 of The Best Practices Show!

Main Takeaways:

It’s easier than ever to find great mentors.

Mentorship is not a one-way street. You grow together.

Mentors come and go, and that’s okay.

Your team can also be your mentors.

Be willing to lean into the “awkward” and ask for help.

Don't be afraid of failure.

Quotes:

“If you don't have a mentor in dentistry, it’s very isolating. You're going to crack at some point. So, everybody who’s listening to this should know that there's an important role, that you need to serve as a mentee and a mentor out there for other people.” (8:21—8:33)

“With mentors, it’s not necessarily a one-way street. It’s not necessarily like the mentor is just teaching a mentee; you're growing together as you're going through this.” (8:57—9:10)

“I used to think, initially, ‘I've got to find this guy who’s going to be with me for the rest of my life. We’re going to grow together.’ And there's very much a season of your life where mentors maybe come and go. Like, I had a great mentor when I was in dental school. He helped me a lot, and he helped grow me, and really encouraged me to get out. And then, as I moved on and transitioned to other things, that faded a little bit. And that's okay. It’s okay to realize that in that current season of life, there are still people around me that I can find and connect with and know that it’s not necessarily forever.” (11:18—11:53)

“Ultimately, when you are looking for a mentor, the importance is to be vulnerable too. Because I think, oftentimes, you want to go to these people that you aspire to. But I think it’s easy to say, ‘Look at how much I know. Look at what I do. Look at what I am.’ And it’s almost the opposite of that. Because if you could say, ‘I don't know anything. Teach me. I'm a sponge. I'll do whatever you want me to do. Just show me the ropes, and I'll do it.’ And when you could actually learn that way, and then you implement it into your life and you could see it, it engages the mentor. Because then they're saying, ‘Wow, this person is actually taking my advice and putting it to practice. And that's so, so important as someone looking for a mentor, is to, one, engage with them, and then also implement it.” (13:23—14:07)

“If you're alone in life and you don't have people to lean on, what's the point? You're just going to struggle. It’s going to be depressing. And ultimately, it’s energizing to know the people that I look to, the people I trust the most and I'm vulnerable with and comfortable going to with life moments are expressing to me like, ‘Lean on me. We got you. We’re going to do this.’ And that makes me better.” (23:08—23:31)

“Mentors are there to build you up and to also provide the safe space to talk, but also to provide the, I don't want to say criticism, but the hard truth, sometimes. It’s not like, ‘Oh, no. It’s fine. You're doing great.’ No, it’s, ‘Hey, guess what? You didn't do that really great. You messed up. So, let's talk about it and see how this is going to be different next time.’” (26:13—26:44)

“I used to have mentors who, I would send them a case and I would show them about how excited I was about it, and I was looking for them to build me up, and they just continued to...