Conversation Map

What it is

One topic, from today to a step. Your mentee picks one topic, scores it, finds what works and chooses a first step.

When to send it

Send it when one topic is stuck. It suits a problem that keeps coming back, before a meeting about it.

• One stuck topica problem that keeps coming back
• Before you meetso the talk starts with options
• After a setbackto find what already worked

Filling it in

Fifteen minutes, one question at a time. Score the topic, look for better times, then list options and pick one.

1. Name it and score it0 is not at all, 10 is just as you want.
2. Find the better timesWrite what happens now and when it goes a bit better.
3. Rate options, pick a stepSay what you will do, by when, and how sure you are.

Reading the answers

Read the better times closely. The times it already goes a bit better show what to do more of.

• Now and targethow far, in their own scores
• Better timeswhat was different then
• How surebelow 7, the step is too big

Questions to ask

One question, then a follow-up. People who ask follow-up questions are liked more (Huang and others, 2017).

• What would one point higher look like?then: what would you notice first?
• What were you doing when it was already better?then: could you do that again?
• Who could help with the first step?then: what would you ask them?

Why it works

Solution-focused questions start from what you want and what already works, not from what is wrong (Grant 2012). The 0–10 scale makes small progress visible.

Sources

• Grant (2012). Solution-focused coaching questions.

How a tool works on Mentornity

1. 1The mentor picks a tool from the library and sends it with a short message.
2. 2The mentee fills it in step by step; the answers are saved as they go.
3. 3Both see the answers, comment on any part and agree the next steps.
4. 4Only the two of them see the answers, not the program admins.

Guides for both sides

• Conversation Map for MentorsFor mentors and coaches: when to send the Conversation Map, what to look for in the answers, which questions to ask and how to agree a first step.
• Conversation Map for MenteesFor mentees and coachees: what the Conversation Map is, how to fill it in, where to find it and what your mentor does with it.

More tools: Goals and action

• Wish, Obstacle, Plan10 min

  Name a wish, picture the best outcome, find what inside you gets in the way, and plan for it with if-then sentences.

• Goal Clarity Map20 min

  List what weighs on you, see how much of it you control, and turn one point into your goal for the programme.

• Decision Balance15 min

  Weigh one decision: what you and people close to you gain or lose, how you would feel about yourself, and how others would see it.

All tools →