Communication & Feedback Techniques Flashcards

A mentor is preparing feedback for a mentee from a high-context culture. What adjustment is most appropriate?

Answer: Use indirect language, metaphor, and relationship-based framing

High-context cultures communicate meaning through relationship, context, and implication rather than explicit statements, so feedback should be delivered accordingly.

Which principle underlies the 'ask, don't tell' approach in mentoring communication?

Answer: Questions build ownership and intrinsic motivation more effectively than directives

When mentees arrive at insights through their own reasoning, they are more likely to own and act on those insights than when they receive unsolicited advice.

A mentor delivers the same feedback in a third consecutive session with no behavioral change from the mentee. What should the mentor do?

Answer: Explore whether there are obstacles, misalignments, or deeper issues preventing change

Repeated feedback without change signals an underlying obstacle — such as skill gap, motivation, or systemic barrier — that must be diagnosed before progress is possible.

Which component of emotional intelligence is most directly engaged when a mentor adjusts their communication style mid-conversation?

Answer: Social awareness and adaptability

Social awareness enables the mentor to read the mentee's real-time emotional state, while adaptability allows them to shift approach accordingly.

What is the purpose of establishing a 'communication agreement' at the start of a mentoring relationship?

Answer: To set shared norms for how feedback will be given and received throughout the relationship

A communication agreement builds shared expectations about feedback style, frequency, and boundaries, reducing misunderstandings and increasing psychological safety.

A mentee consistently uses vague language like 'things are fine' when describing challenges. Which technique helps surface more specific information?

Answer: Use scaling questions such as 'On a scale of 1–10, how fine is fine?'

Scaling questions give vague responses a concrete reference point, making it easier for the mentee to locate and articulate their actual experience.

Which behavior distinguishes a mentor who gives 'evaluative' feedback from one who gives 'descriptive' feedback?

Answer: Evaluative feedback judges the person; descriptive feedback describes specific observable actions

Descriptive feedback sticks to what was observed ('You spoke for 20 of 30 minutes'), while evaluative feedback passes judgment ('You are a poor listener').