Which mentoring style involves the supervisor acting as a guide/counselor, focusing on the why, and encouraging problem-solving, typically used when the mentee has some experience?

Which mentoring style involves the supervisor acting as a guide/counselor, focusing on the why, and encouraging problem-solving, typically used when the mentee has some experience?

• A. Prescriptive mentoring
• B. Persuasive mentoring
• C. Collaborative mentoring
• D. Confirmative mentoring

Answer: (B)

This style uses the supervisor as a guide or counselor who emphasizes understanding why options work and guides the mentee through problem-solving. Because the mentee has some experience, the mentor doesn’t hand over a step-by-step solution; instead, they explore the rationale, present considerations, and encourage the mentee to reason through potential paths. The goal is to shape judgment and independent thinking by persuading the mentee to see the best course based on evidence and consequences, rather than simply giving instructions. This approach helps the mentee build solid decision-making skills while still having support. It isn’t prescriptive, which would push a specific action; it isn’t purely collaborative, which would put the emphasis on joint control; and it isn’t merely confirmative, which would focus on validating understanding rather than developing reasoning.

This style uses the supervisor as a guide or counselor who emphasizes understanding why options work and guides the mentee through problem-solving. Because the mentee has some experience, the mentor doesn’t hand over a step-by-step solution; instead, they explore the rationale, present considerations, and encourage the mentee to reason through potential paths. The goal is to shape judgment and independent thinking by persuading the mentee to see the best course based on evidence and consequences, rather than simply giving instructions.

This approach helps the mentee build solid decision-making skills while still having support. It isn’t prescriptive, which would push a specific action; it isn’t purely collaborative, which would put the emphasis on joint control; and it isn’t merely confirmative, which would focus on validating understanding rather than developing reasoning.