Finding a mentor
EMS is one of the rare fields where it can be difficult to find a mentor. How often have we heard that “EMS tends to eat its young?” That’s why it is also a field that is ripe for good mentors–people who have been around the proverbial block, understand EMS (either agency- or system-specific) and know how to share their knowledge with others in a communicative, non-confrontational manner that inspires the mentee to rise to the challenge. The shortage of strong mentors in the field can also be detrimental to aspiring managers, who may be deceived by more experienced managers who appear to have the aspiring manager’s best interests in mind, but really are just striving to create replicas of themselves.
Generally, someone who mentors is older, experienced and interested in helping a younger man or woman improve specific skills and develop as a person, over time. The world of EMS turns this traditional definition on its head, as age and seniority isn’t always the same thing. Individuals start their EMS careers at such different points in their lives that you can meet 30-year-olds with 15-year careers who began as volunteers, but just as easily meet 40-year-olds who are starting EMS as a second career. You may have to consider looking for a mentor from outside your own EMS agency.
The difficult part in this specific scenario is choosing a mentor who can guide you as you move forward. This is an extremely personal determination and one that needs to be made by taking into account multiple variables. Look for a mentor with whom you feel comfortable and trust enough to confide both your successes and your failures, someone with longevity in the field, so you can build on and benefit from their past experiences.
Finally, consider choosing a mentor who has worked in a variety of systems or held a number of differing positions in the field. The diversity that this introduces is invaluable to a new EMS manager.
Being a mentor
For mentors, your relationship with the individual you’re supporting is more complex than it is when you’re a coach, consultant or adviser. Those roles are more task- or skill-oriented and typically involve a shorter time-frame. Mentoring is a longer commitment.
As a mentor, it is important to consider the perspective of the person being mentored and remember what it was like to be new and in need of guidance. What moves or decisions must be made to handle various roadblocks? What is the mentee looking for in terms of applicable guidance?
The relationship is also about listening. While it is possible for someone to hear only what’s being said, a mentor must actively listen to what is meant. Active listening allows for the mentor to provide immediate and useful feedback. In some cases it also allows the mentor to acknowledge when they don’t have an immediate answer.
As a mentee, it is important to keep an open mind and to remain objective. Respect the experience and the wealth of knowledge that your mentor may have to offer, but don’t be afraid to challenge their views. A relationship built on mutual respect that allows for healthy debate between mentor and mentee will help both grow personally and intellectually.
Conclusion
Some may ask if there is a need for mentors in the world of EMS. Our collective answer is “yes!” Mentors can contribute to anyone’s development. Although the mentor relationship will require effort and dedication from both parties, the rewards will, in most cases, surpass the effort involved.
When the mentoring relationship lasts long enough, it comes full circle, with the mentee building the experience necessary to eventually become a mentor themselves. This article is a great example: One of the authors has had the opportunity to mentor the other author as she has moved through her EMS career, and called upon her to assist in the completion of this article–an article on mentoring!
