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

2. 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 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:
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.

3.  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:
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.
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.

4.  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:
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.

5.  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:
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.
That’s correct! With this answer you reiterate the statement of your
mentee and you also reply at the present tense.

6.  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:
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.

7.  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: 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.
 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.

8.  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: 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.
 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 .

9.  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: 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…
 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.

10.  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:
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.
That’s correct! With this answer you have made it very clear which
direction the mentee should follow.

11.  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: 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.

12.  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 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.