168 Strategies to tailor mentoring to the individual.

Abstract Mentoring is one of the most impactful, yet complex, responsibilities faculty take on. Moving beyond cookie-cutter approaches requires building relationships that celebrate individuality and foster growth. Strategies that worked for mentors as graduate students may not work for their students and this diversity presents an opportunity to refine mentoring practices. Using the CliftonStrengths framework and evidence-based mentoring techniques, this session explores how recognizing and leveraging individual strengths can transform mentoring relationships, creating environments where both students and mentors thrive. Identifying a student’s unique talents—whether in strategic thinking, relationship-building, or execution—allows mentors to tailor their approach to maximize each student’s potential. Specific examples will highlight how strengths-based strategies can guide mentoring decisions, including ways to adjust feedback, set goals, and foster confidence in students with diverse needs and aspirations. The session will also explore challenges mentors may encounter when working with students whose strengths differ from their own and provide actionable techniques for overcoming these obstacles. At the heart of effective mentoring lies a commitment to well-being, both for students and mentors. Practical approaches to addressing common pitfalls such as burnout, imposter syndrome, and mismatched expectation will be discussed, along with tools for fostering resilience, maintaining professional boundaries, and promoting balance. Examples include tailoring feedback for students who struggle with self-doubt, supporting students who thrive on bold expectations, and creating a culture of mutual respect that encourages growth and productivity. This session also delves into the mentor’s role in shaping a student’s development as a lifelong learner. By combining strengths-based mentoring with strategies for balancing challenge and support, mentors can cultivate an environment that empowers students to achieve their goals while refining their own mentoring philosophies. Designed for mentors (and future mentors!) at all career stages, this session provides evidence-based insights, practical examples, and tools to tailor mentoring approaches to the unique needs of each student to help make them into productive scientists.