Mentors also promote cognitive flexibility—an essential component of a growth mindset—by encouraging residents to think critically about complex anesthesia cases. In anesthesia, where each patient presents unique challenges, the ability to adapt one’s approach based on new information is crucial. Research on metacognition, or the awareness and control of one’s cognitive processes, shows that mentoring which encourages self-reflection and the exploration of different problem-solving strategies helps develop this flexibility. Mentors can encourage residents to consider various anesthetic techniques, reevaluate their decision-making in the context of each patient’s changing physiology, and learn from their previous cases. This approach not only enhances clinical competence but also strengthens the confidence to handle future challenges.

The impact of mentorship on the development of a growth mindset extends beyond the individual level to positively shape organizational culture, promoting collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation. In the field of anesthesia, where teamwork is essential for patient safety and optimal outcomes, cultivating a growth-oriented culture ensures that every team member is focused on learning, resilience, and improvement.