5 Types of Supervisor Responses
Different phases often require a variety of tools and responses from the supervisor. It can be helpful for new supervisors to try to master five core types of response.
Responses equally suited for both Phases
1. CARES responding - a helpful acronym of Curious open questions, Affirmations (or compliments), Reflections (or validations), Encouraging statements and Summaries.
2. Effective feedback - specifically adapted to whether the behaviour is desired, or not desired and either (i) recent, or (ii) long-standing
Responses best suited for the Expansion Phase
3. Reflective questioning - all too often confused with reflections, this approach of questioning enables a supervisee to see the topic of the discussion from multiple perspectives and through different lenses to help gain a more holistic understanding.
Responses best suited for the Consolidating Phase
4. Strengths based questions - using exceptions questions, scaling questions, and other approaches especially helpful when the supervisee is likely to have untapped resources that will aid in this discussion.
5. Socratic questions - these are a particularly useful alternative to direct teaching and increase retention and application of concepts. The supervisor teaches through asking specific leading questions and logic trails; this approach is particularly helpful for supervisees early in their career.
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Responses equally suited for both Phases
1. CARES responding - a helpful acronym of Curious open questions, Affirmations (or compliments), Reflections (or validations), Encouraging statements and Summaries.
2. Effective feedback - specifically adapted to whether the behaviour is desired, or not desired and either (i) recent, or (ii) long-standing
Responses best suited for the Expansion Phase
3. Reflective questioning - all too often confused with reflections, this approach of questioning enables a supervisee to see the topic of the discussion from multiple perspectives and through different lenses to help gain a more holistic understanding.
Responses best suited for the Consolidating Phase
4. Strengths based questions - using exceptions questions, scaling questions, and other approaches especially helpful when the supervisee is likely to have untapped resources that will aid in this discussion.
5. Socratic questions - these are a particularly useful alternative to direct teaching and increase retention and application of concepts. The supervisor teaches through asking specific leading questions and logic trails; this approach is particularly helpful for supervisees early in their career.
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