Mentorship Myths We Need to Let Go Of (and What Actually Works)

Mentorship isn’t just a title you earn when you hit attending status. It’s not a position you get promoted into or a bullet point on your CV. Real mentorship is about presence, honesty, and showing up—for someone else and sometimes for yourself, too.

At D.O.C.C., we’re reimagining what mentorship means, especially for those who’ve had to navigate medicine without a map. But to do that, we’ve had to unlearn a few things. Below are the top mentorship myths we hear—and what the research (and lived experience) tells us actually works.

Myth #1: “Mentorship has to be formal.”

Reality: Some of the most meaningful mentorship happens in group chats, clinic hallways, and late-night text messages. As long as it’s consistent, honest, and safe, it counts.

A 2024 review in JAMA Surgery noted that informal, longitudinal relationships often outperform formal pairings in terms of mentee satisfaction and trust-building.

Myth #2: “Mentors have to be perfect.”

Reality: Your mentee doesn’t need a superhero. They need someone who can say, “Yeah, I messed that up too.” Perfection distances. Vulnerability connects.

A narrative review of Black women faculty emphasized how relational mentorship—rooted in shared experiences and cultural understanding—has more impact than perfectionism ever could

Myth #3: “If they don’t reach out, they must not want help.”

Reality: Silence isn’t disinterest. It’s often fear, imposter syndrome, or not knowing how to ask. Be the one to check in first.

Multiple studies affirm that URiM students often hesitate to initiate mentoring relationships due to internalized doubt and systemic messaging about their belonging

Myth #4: “One mentor can meet all your needs.”

Reality: No one mentor can (or should) be everything. What you need is a network—a mosaic of voices who support you in different ways.

In “A Role Model Is Like a Mosaic,” authors argue for dismantling the ‘single mentor ideal’ and embracing multiple sources of guidance

Myth #5: “Mentorship is a one-way street.”

Reality: The best mentorship is mutual. Mentees teach us, challenge us, and keep us grounded. It’s not charity—it’s community.

A growing body of mentorship literature emphasizes reciprocity as central to mentor satisfaction and long-term engagement, especially in identity-conscious programs

What We're Building

D.O.C.C. was born from text threads, covered shifts, and hallway conversations that turned into something bigger. Our mentorship model isn’t based on hierarchy—it’s based on honesty, critical frameworks, and care. We pull from Critical Race Theory, Self-Determination Theory, and liberation psychology because mentorship isn’t just emotional labor—it’s structural resistance.

So if you’ve ever thought you weren’t “ready” to be a mentor—if you’re still figuring it out yourself—consider this your invitation.

You don’t need to be perfect.You just need to be present.