Determination – conclusions

When to use:

• When there is a need to systematize something  
• When we want to focus on key determinants of a given action 

Props:

• Large sheet of paper  
• Small post-it notes  
• Colored markers/highlighters  
• Virtual board, in case of remote work (e.g. Miro, Mural) 

Instructions:

Step 1

1. Encourage the mentee to tell you about the situation you will be examining. 
2. Spread a sheet of paper on the desk (or floor or virtual board), symbolizing the situation/action/event (established in step 1).  
   1. We recommend that the mentee physically move and stand where the paper is located.  
   2. You can work on the desk or virtual board if the mentee is uncomfortable with this.  
3. Ask the mentee to "enter" this process and remind them of the specific situation/action/event details.  
4. Ask the mentee if they need to do this in silence or if they prefer your support in the form of questions that will help extract the necessary details.  
5. Respond appropriately to the mentee's needs.  
6. In the next step, ask the mentee to list the three most important determining factors (influences) on this situation/event.  
   1. Determining factors can be both material and immaterial, those that we have influence over or those that we don't (e.g. equipment, software, available resources, attitude, beliefs, well-being, posture, relationships).  
7. Encourage the mentee to consider how factor 1 influenced the course and result of the specific situation/action.  
8. Ask the mentee to write down their answer.  
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for factor no. 2.  
10. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for factor no. 3. 

Step 2  

1. Encourage the mentee to draw conclusions from factors 1, 2 and 3. You can use the following questions:  
   1. Which factors had a positive impact on the given situation/action? 
   2. What was the positive impact of these factors?  
   3. What can you repeat next time in a similar situation?  
   4. Which factors had a negative impact on the given situation/action? 
   5. What was the negative impact of these factors?  
   6. What should you avoid next time in a similar situation?  
2. Ask the mentee to consider and write down what actions they will take in response to the conclusions drawn (separately for each factor)  
3. If it is helpful for the mentee, they can synthesize the actions for all factors (optional). 

Step 3  

1. Ask the mentee if you can summarize what you have heard so far. 
2. Paraphrase how you understand the described situation/action. 
3. Provide feedback on the factors mentioned by the mentee. 
4. Introduce determining factors that the mentee did not think of (do this with respect for the work done by the mentee in this process). 
5. Refer to the conclusions from step 2 - give feedback on how you perceive it.  
6. Share your conclusions if they differ from those developed by the mentee.  

Step 4  

Encourage the mentee to draw conclusions about the actions they will take with the current knowledge. 

Ask the mentee to write down the answer. 

If you run out of time during the meeting for the tasks from Step 4, ask the mentee to do them as homework.  

Based on: "Mentoring. Set of Tools." Maciej Bennewicz, Anna Prelewicz