**5. Mentoring: the traits of a mentor**

Mentors should exemplify several key character traits necessary for successful mentor-mentee relationships: display admirable qualities, be honest and trustworthy, be altruistic, be approachable, and have professional experience.

## **5.1 Admirable characteristics**

An ideal mentor should serve as a role model with personal and professional admirable qualities that motivate the mentee to further their own career. Some personal qualities include being compassionate, insightful, inspiring, ethical, and wise. Important professional qualities include being collaborative, intellectual, skilled, accessible, articulate, passionate about medicine and health, and to be a visionary [11].

## **5.2 Being honest, trustworthy, and an active listener**

The mentor should always be honest when guiding the mentee. It's important that the mentor tells the mentee whether something is a bad idea or if they need to take a completely different approach to obtain their goals. A good mentor understands the limitations of the mentee. Honesty can create a trustworthy relationship between the mentor and mentee that can further their productivity [12].

Trustworthiness is a very important characteristic of being a good mentor and involves the mentor to be a good active listener. The best way for a mentor to give effective advice is to listen to what the mentee is saying and understand the mentee's aspirations and goals. This is crucial to help the mentees work through their problems and give tailored advice. The mentor should be engaged at every session with the mentee and help to facilitate a goal for the mentee [13].
