Mentoring Tools - Home Page
Print 
Cartesian model of change in mentoring
Overcoming resistance to change
Analyzing and drawing conclusions
Decision-making
Broadening perspectives
Stimulating creativity
Searching for new solutions
Getting out of a stuck situation
technique useful for systematizing and organizing thoughts and deepening self-awareness. Useful when feeling stuck and unable to make a decision.
#making a decision
#decision
#action
#analysis
#systematization
#making sure
#broadening the perspective
#resistance
#overcoming resistance
#drawing conclusions
#mentoring
#mentoring programs
The Cartesian model of change
The Cartesian model of change is a tool that can be used when a mentee is struggling to decide or is stuck.
Materials:
- A large sheet of paper
- Post-it notes
- Colored markers or highlighters
- If you are working remotely, you can use a virtual whiteboard such as Miro or Mural.
Instructions:
- First, identify the problem or decision that the mentee is facing.
- Then, place four post-it notes on the paper or virtual whiteboard with the following prompts:
- What will happen if you do this?
- What will happen if you don't do this?
- What won't happen if you do this?
- What won't happen if you don't do this?
- Allow the mentee to respond to these prompts and generate answers.
- If you feel you have something valuable to contribute, ask for permission before sharing your perspective.
- Record the responses on additional post-it notes or the virtual whiteboard.
| 1. What will happen if you do this? A+ B+ |
2. What will happen if you don't do this? A+ B- |
|
| Decision? | ||
| 3. What won't happen if you do this? A- B+ |
4. What won't happen if you don't do this? A- B- |
Example: The mentee is considering whether to accept the role of Project Manager for a new, very challenging project.
- What would happen if you accepted the PM role for this project? (A+ B+)
- What would happen if you didn't accept the PM role for this project? (A+ B-)
- What wouldn't happen if you accepted the PM role for this project? (A- B+)
- What wouldn't happen if you didn't accept the PM role for this project? (A- B-)
The order in which the questions are asked is up to you.
IMPORTANT: When using the model, ensure that the mentee answers all the questions.
Mentoring Tools - Home Page
