Roleplay Scenario
Scenario Overview
You’re a mentor having a one-on-one with a junior engineer who’s been struggling with confidence. They’ve been hesitant to take on new challenges and often second-guess their decisions. Your goal is to help them recognize their strengths and build confidence without sounding dismissive or overly critical.
Roles & Setup
Role A – Mentor (You)
You’re leading the one-on-one session.
Your goal: Encourage your mentee to recognize their strengths and build self-confidence by using specific examples and actionable advice.
Role B – Junior Engineer
You’ve been feeling unsure about your abilities and are hesitant to take on new responsibilities.
Your goal: Share your concerns and be open to feedback and guidance.
Suggested Openers
Mentor:
- “Hey, I’ve been really impressed with your recent work, but I noticed you seem a bit hesitant during meetings. Can we talk about how you’re feeling?”
- “I wanted to check in on how your projects are going. Are there specific areas where you feel less confident?”
Junior Engineer:
- “Thanks for noticing. I’ve been second-guessing myself a lot, especially when it comes to making technical decisions.”
- “I appreciate you asking. I’m just worried about making mistakes and how that might affect the team.”
Sample Roleplay in Action
Mentor:
“Hey, I’ve been really impressed with your work on the recent feature update. However, I noticed you seemed hesitant to share your ideas during the last planning meeting. What’s been going through your mind?”
Junior Engineer:
“Thanks for saying that. I guess I’ve been second-guessing myself a lot. I worry that my suggestions might not be good enough, and I don’t want to steer the team in the wrong direction.”
Mentor:
“I get it. It’s important to remember that your perspective is valuable, and everyone makes mistakes. Can you recall a time when you contributed to a project and it turned out well?”
Junior Engineer:
“Yeah, there was that time when I suggested refactoring some code to improve performance, and it actually made a significant difference.”
Mentor:
“That’s a great example! You identified a problem and provided a solution that benefited the team. What can we do to help you feel more comfortable sharing your ideas moving forward?”
Junior Engineer:
“Maybe I could start by preparing a bit more before meetings, so I feel more confident in what I’m saying.”
Mentor:
“That sounds like a solid plan. How about I also give you a chance to lead a small part of the next meeting? It could be a good opportunity to practice speaking up in a supportive environment.”
Junior Engineer:
“I’d like that. It sounds a bit intimidating, but I think it could really help.”
Mentor:
“Excellent. Let’s check in after the meeting to see how it went and discuss any feedback. You’ve got a lot to offer, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.”
Post-Scenario Tools
Curveball Mode (Optional)
Throw in one of these mid-roleplay to test adaptability:
- The engineer expresses doubt about receiving negative feedback in the past.
- The engineer is reluctant to acknowledge their past successes.
- The engineer frequently compares themselves to more experienced peers.
Reflection Checklist
As the Mentor:
- Did you provide specific examples of the mentee’s strengths?
- Did you offer actionable steps to build confidence?
- Did you encourage open communication and support?
As the Junior Engineer:
- Did you share your concerns openly?
- Did you acknowledge your past successes?
- Did you express a willingness to take actionable steps forward?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-reassuring without addressing specific concerns
- Focusing too much on negatives rather than strengths
- Offering generic advice without actionable steps
Pro Tip
Confidence builds over time with small wins. Encourage your mentee to celebrate their successes and learn from every experience, big or small.