Before moving on, consider the two mentor responses below.

Mentor A

Trainee:

"I'm really struggling to keep up with everything."

Mentor:

"You need to become more organised. I found using a planner really helpful when I trained."

Mentor B

Trainee:

"I'm really struggling to keep up with everything."

Mentor:

"Tell me a little more about that. What does 'everything' feel like at the moment?"

Reflection Questions

1. Which mentor is likely to gain a better understanding of the trainee's situation?
2. What assumptions does Mentor A make?
3. What additional information might Mentor B discover before offering advice?
4. How do Rogers' principles of empathy and Wiliam's principles of formative assessment help explain why Mentor B's response is likely to be more effective?