CPM Communication Strategies & Active Listening 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A mentor notices their mentee seems distracted during a session. Which active listening technique is most appropriate to re-engage them?
- Continue speaking without acknowledgment
- Ask an open-ended question about what's on their mind (Correct answer)
- End the session early
- Send a follow-up email instead
Correct answer: Ask an open-ended question about what's on their mind
Open-ended questions invite the mentee to share what's distracting them, re-establishing connection and presence.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes 'reflective listening' in a mentoring context?
- Repeating the mentee's words verbatim
- Paraphrasing the mentee's message to confirm understanding (Correct answer)
- Offering advice based on your own experience
- Asking rapid-fire clarifying questions
Correct answer: Paraphrasing the mentee's message to confirm understanding
Reflective listening involves paraphrasing or summarizing what was said to demonstrate comprehension and validate the speaker.
Question 3: When a mentee uses vague language like 'things aren't going well,' a mentor practicing active listening should:
- Assume the mentee means work stress
- Change the topic to lighten the mood
- Ask a clarifying question to understand the specific concern (Correct answer)
- Share a similar personal experience immediately
Correct answer: Ask a clarifying question to understand the specific concern
Clarifying questions help unpack ambiguous statements and show the mentor is genuinely engaged.
Question 4: In cross-cultural mentoring, effective communication requires a mentor to:
- Apply the same communication style universally
- Be aware of cultural differences in directness and nonverbal cues (Correct answer)
- Avoid discussing cultural backgrounds entirely
- Use formal language exclusively
Correct answer: Be aware of cultural differences in directness and nonverbal cues
Cultural competence includes recognizing that communication norms vary and adapting accordingly.
Question 5: A mentee shares a concern and the mentor immediately responds with a solution. What critical step did the mentor skip?
- Scheduling a follow-up
- Acknowledging the mentee's feelings before problem-solving (Correct answer)
- Writing down the solution
- Asking about the mentee's career goals
Correct answer: Acknowledging the mentee's feelings before problem-solving
Jumping to solutions without emotional acknowledgment can make the mentee feel unheard and dismissed.
Question 6: Which communication behavior indicates a mentor is NOT actively listening?
- Nodding and maintaining eye contact
- Formulating a response while the mentee is still speaking (Correct answer)
- Summarizing key points at the end
- Asking follow-up questions
Correct answer: Formulating a response while the mentee is still speaking
Mentally preparing a response while someone is talking diverts attention from truly hearing their message.
Question 7: What is the purpose of using silence strategically during a mentoring conversation?
- To signal the mentor has nothing more to say
- To give the mentee space to reflect and continue sharing (Correct answer)
- To discourage oversharing
- To transition to a new topic
Correct answer: To give the mentee space to reflect and continue sharing
Strategic silence creates psychological space that encourages deeper reflection and continued disclosure from the mentee.
CPM Communication Strategies & Active Listening 2
A mentor notices their mentee seems distracted during a session.
Which active listening technique is most appropriate to re-engage them?