CLM Communication & Feedback Techniques 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A mentor is preparing feedback for a mentee from a high-context culture. What adjustment is most appropriate?
- Deliver feedback more explicitly and directly than usual
- Use indirect language, metaphor, and relationship-based framing (Correct answer)
- Avoid all critical feedback to respect cultural norms
- Ask the mentee to translate their own culture's norms into a written guide
Correct answer: Use indirect language, metaphor, and relationship-based framing
High-context cultures communicate meaning through relationship, context, and implication rather than explicit statements, so feedback should be delivered accordingly.
Question 2: Which principle underlies the 'ask, don't tell' approach in mentoring communication?
- Mentors lack sufficient expertise to provide direct guidance
- Questions build ownership and intrinsic motivation more effectively than directives (Correct answer)
- Advice-giving creates legal liability for the mentor
- Mentees respond better to indirect communication styles in all cultures
Correct answer: Questions build ownership and intrinsic motivation more effectively than directives
When mentees arrive at insights through their own reasoning, they are more likely to own and act on those insights than when they receive unsolicited advice.
Question 3: A mentor delivers the same feedback in a third consecutive session with no behavioral change from the mentee. What should the mentor do?
- Deliver the feedback more loudly and emphatically
- Explore whether there are obstacles, misalignments, or deeper issues preventing change (Correct answer)
- Document the pattern and escalate to HR
- Discontinue mentoring as the relationship has failed
Correct answer: Explore whether there are obstacles, misalignments, or deeper issues preventing change
Repeated feedback without change signals an underlying obstacle — such as skill gap, motivation, or systemic barrier — that must be diagnosed before progress is possible.
Question 4: Which component of emotional intelligence is most directly engaged when a mentor adjusts their communication style mid-conversation?
- Self-awareness
- Motivation
- Social awareness and adaptability (Correct answer)
- Empathy alone
Correct answer: Social awareness and adaptability
Social awareness enables the mentor to read the mentee's real-time emotional state, while adaptability allows them to shift approach accordingly.
Question 5: What is the purpose of establishing a 'communication agreement' at the start of a mentoring relationship?
- To create a legally binding document protecting both parties
- To set shared norms for how feedback will be given and received throughout the relationship (Correct answer)
- To outline the topics that are off-limits for discussion
- To assign communication tasks to the mentee between sessions
Correct answer: To set shared norms for how feedback will be given and received throughout the relationship
A communication agreement builds shared expectations about feedback style, frequency, and boundaries, reducing misunderstandings and increasing psychological safety.
Question 6: A mentee consistently uses vague language like 'things are fine' when describing challenges. Which technique helps surface more specific information?
- Accept the answer and move to the next topic
- Use scaling questions such as 'On a scale of 1–10, how fine is fine?' (Correct answer)
- Confront the mentee directly about avoiding the truth
- Ask yes/no questions to narrow down the issue quickly
Correct answer: Use scaling questions such as 'On a scale of 1–10, how fine is fine?'
Scaling questions give vague responses a concrete reference point, making it easier for the mentee to locate and articulate their actual experience.
Question 7: Which behavior distinguishes a mentor who gives 'evaluative' feedback from one who gives 'descriptive' feedback?
- Evaluative feedback is always delivered in writing; descriptive feedback is verbal
- Evaluative feedback judges the person; descriptive feedback describes specific observable actions (Correct answer)
- Evaluative feedback is given annually; descriptive feedback is given in real time
- Evaluative feedback uses data; descriptive feedback relies on intuition
Correct answer: Evaluative feedback judges the person; descriptive feedback describes specific observable actions
Descriptive feedback sticks to what was observed ('You spoke for 20 of 30 minutes'), while evaluative feedback passes judgment ('You are a poor listener').
CLM Communication & Feedback Techniques 5
A mentor is preparing feedback for a mentee from a high-context culture.
What adjustment is most appropriate?