MENTORING ACCORDING TO THE PRACTICE OF CENTRAS Constantza Mamaia 2- 3 June 2011

CASE STUDY ANALYSIS The interview takes place in the Human Resources department of an insurance company. The mentee, an insurance sales agent, married and with one child-a daughter-was hired by the company about 20 years ago. The interview takes place in the Human Resources department of an insurance company. The mentee, an insurance sales agent, married and with one child-a daughter-was hired by the company about 20 years ago. The mentee: I am not sure why you’ve asked me to come here today, but probably it’s about my recent absences from work. The mentee: I am not sure why you’ve asked me to come here today, but probably it’s about my recent absences from work. Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the mentee’s comments: Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the mentee’s comments: Mentor: I am sure you know very well why I’ve asked you to come here. Mentor: Do you think your recent absences have caused you problems at work? Mentor: We really need to talk about your lack of efficiency.

The Mentee: Oh well, this is one of the problems that worry me and I know the others are concerned about my lack of punctuality and the non- observance of my work schedule. The Mentee: Oh well, this is one of the problems that worry me and I know the others are concerned about my lack of punctuality and the non- observance of my work schedule. Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the mentee’s comments: Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the mentee’s comments: Mentor: There are certain problems that you are worried about more now. Mentor : I hope you are aware of my position of responsibility in respect to the staff and that I am only concerned about the observance of the schedule. Mentor : Then it means that you realise that our company is very concerned about the observance of the schedule and the frequency of its team. Your answer: Then it means that you realise that our company is very concerned about the observance of the schedule and the frequency of its team. Your answer: Then it means that you realise that our company is very concerned about the observance of the schedule and the frequency of its team. With this answer you are only repeating the last part of the message transmitted by the mentee and this will not help him analyse his problem profoundly, moreover, he will be focused only on the company’s interests, and not on his.

Mentee: Eventually, I think all my problems are caused by what happens to me at home. Mentee: Eventually, I think all my problems are caused by what happens to me at home. Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the disciple’s comments: Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the disciple’s comments: Mentor: Do you have marriage problems? Mentor: I think your professional problems are caused by the family situation. Mentor: You don’t seem to want to concentrate at all on your position in our company.

Mentee: Yes. It’s about my daughter. She is 15 years old and you know how the adolescents are at this age... we are worried for her. She doesn’t spend the nights at home almost at all. Mentee: Yes. It’s about my daughter. She is 15 years old and you know how the adolescents are at this age... we are worried for her. She doesn’t spend the nights at home almost at all. Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the mentee’s comments: Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the mentee’s comments: Mentor: Has your daughter had problems with the law? Mentor: I suppose there have been problems with your daughter before too. Mentor: The fact that your daughter doesn’t spend the nights at home is indeed a major problem for you as a parent. Your answer: The fact that your daughter doesn’t spend the nights at home is indeed a major problem for you as a parent. Your answer: The fact that your daughter doesn’t spend the nights at home is indeed a major problem for you as a parent. That’s correct! With this answer you reiterate the statement of your mentee and you also reply at the present tense.

Mentee: All these problems affect my wife’s health a lot. She has already been through a heart-attack. Mentee: All these problems affect my wife’s health a lot. She has already been through a heart-attack. Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the disciple’s comments: Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the disciple’s comments: Mentor: So you are also concerned about your wife’s health, besides all the other problems. Mentor: So you are also concerned about your wife’s health, besides all the other problems. Mentor: You seem worried when it comes to your wife. Mentor: Your daughter seems too much of the burden for your wife.

Mentee: I realise I have big problems at work and nothing turns out fine, but what can I do? Mentee: I realise I have big problems at work and nothing turns out fine, but what can I do? Mentor: I understand your problems, but can we concentrate on the problems at your job for a moment? Mentor: I understand your problems, but can we concentrate on the problems at your job for a moment? Mentor: Let me see if I got this right. You are aware of your job problems, but you think they have a cause: the situation at home. Mentor: Let me see if I got this right. You are aware of your job problems, but you think they have a cause: the situation at home. Mentor: It looks like it is difficult for you to have to fight on two fronts: not only with family difficulties, but also with those at your workplace. Mentor: It looks like it is difficult for you to have to fight on two fronts: not only with family difficulties, but also with those at your workplace. Your answer: It looks like it is difficult for you to have to fight on two fronts: not only with family difficulties, but also with those at your workplace. Your answer: It looks like it is difficult for you to have to fight on two fronts: not only with family difficulties, but also with those at your workplace. That’s correct! This summary of the content compresses everything the mentee has said until now and enables him to decide on which of the issues he would like to insist.

Mentee: The most difficult problem is the one with my daughter. I don’t know where she spends her nights and what she does, I have reached the end of my patience trying to figure out what needs to be done. Mentee: The most difficult problem is the one with my daughter. I don’t know where she spends her nights and what she does, I have reached the end of my patience trying to figure out what needs to be done. Mentor: It seems that this whole situation has really brought you to the brink of despair. Mentor: It seems that this whole situation has really brought you to the brink of despair. Mentor: I imagine that you are in an awful situation. Mentor: I imagine that you are in an awful situation. Mentor: Then it means that your main concern is how you could get your daughter back on the right track. Mentor: Then it means that your main concern is how you could get your daughter back on the right track. Your answer: Then it means that your main concern is how you could get your daughter back on the right track. Your answer: Then it means that your main concern is how you could get your daughter back on the right track. That’s correct! This is the most suitable answer in a case like this.

Mentee: Yes, you see, I have been trying everything I could. I even promised her material reward only to make her stay home. Then we tried to punish her. Nothing worked... What can we do? Mentee: Yes, you see, I have been trying everything I could. I even promised her material reward only to make her stay home. Then we tried to punish her. Nothing worked... What can we do? Mentor: I see that you have tried about everything possible, but unfortunately it did not work. Mentor: I see that you have tried about everything possible, but unfortunately it did not work. Mentor: Probably a priest could help you. Mentor: Probably a priest could help you. Mentor: Do you think that you could do more? I think there are many other things you could try… Mentor: Do you think that you could do more? I think there are many other things you could try… Correct answer: : I see that you have tried about everything possible, but unfortunately it did not work. Correct answer: : I see that you have tried about everything possible, but unfortunately it did not work. This shows that you are trying to understand the message the mentee is transmitting, and in case there is a misunderstanding, he will pluck up courage and will explain more. This shows that you are trying to understand the message the mentee is transmitting, and in case there is a misunderstanding, he will pluck up courage and will explain more.

Mentee: I think I am going to need some help to deal with the problems of my daughter. I assume we should now talk only about my job issues. Mentee: I think I am going to need some help to deal with the problems of my daughter. I assume we should now talk only about my job issues. Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the disciple’s comments: Choose the answer that best reflects the content of the disciple’s comments: Mentor: I wonder if your daughter really needs help. Mentor: I wonder if your daughter really needs help. Mentor: Yes, maybe it’s time for us to discuss this too. Mentor: The problems with your daughter and your job-related problems are equally important. Your answer The problems with your daughter and your job-related problems are equally important. Your answer The problems with your daughter and your job-related problems are equally important. That’s correct! With this answer you have made it very clear which direction the mentee should follow.

Mentee: Well, ever since I have discovered my daughter’s problems I started to spend more and more time at home, arguing with her until late in the night. Consequently, I can no longer get up early and this is why I am late at work and sometimes I am so upset that I can’t even get to work. Mentee: Well, ever since I have discovered my daughter’s problems I started to spend more and more time at home, arguing with her until late in the night. Consequently, I can no longer get up early and this is why I am late at work and sometimes I am so upset that I can’t even get to work. Mentor: It sounds as if you have lost interest in your job. Mentor: It sounds as if you have lost interest in your job. Mentor: All these problems with your daughter have interfered with your job and have distracted you. Mentor: All these problems with your daughter have interfered with your job and have distracted you. Mentor: Perhaps your wife should have more control over the situation at home. Mentor: Perhaps your wife should have more control over the situation at home.

Mentee: Speaking on business again, I actually have a meeting in a few minutes. Mentee: Speaking on business again, I actually have a meeting in a few minutes. Mentor: I think you should hurry up. You seem very worried about this meeting. Mentor: I think you should hurry up. You seem very worried about this meeting. Mentor: I think you better hurry up. What do you think you should do about your problem? Mentor: I think you better hurry up. What do you think you should do about your problem? Mentor: I think you better hurry up. Let’s see... We have been talking about your family problems, their effect on your work and your desire to find solutions. Mentor: I think you better hurry up. Let’s see... We have been talking about your family problems, their effect on your work and your desire to find solutions.