A tool to help mentors stay curious and avoid judgment by using open-ended questions to spark deeper conversations. Questions can be drawn from a jar before or during a session to encourage reflection.
The Curiosity Jar
- Active Listening, Effective Communication, Questioning Skills
Introduction
Objective/Description
The Curiosity Jar is a simple, engaging tool to help mentors cultivate a mindset of curiosity and avoid judgment during mentoring sessions. Mentors create a jar (or any container) filled with slips of paper. Each slip contains an open-ended, non-judgmental question designed to encourage mentees to express themselves more fully, such as, “What was that experience like for you?” or “Can you share more about what you’re feeling right now?”
Print and cut out these slips. Place them in a jar or container to draw from before or during your mentoring sessions. Use the blank slips to add your own curiosity-driven questions!
Steps/Process
- Prepare the Jar:
- Print and cut out the Curiosity Jar Template prompts, along with the blank slips for your own questions.
- Write additional personalized, open-ended questions on the blank slips based on your mentee’s needs and your mentoring goals.
- Place all the slips into a jar or container.
- Select a question:
- Option 1: Before the Session – Before a mentoring session, randomly draw one or two slips from the jar. These questions can serve as focal points during the session, helping you stay open and curiosity-driven as you engage with your mentee.
- Option 2: During the Session – If you need to deepen the conversation or aren’t sure how to respond, pick a slip from the jar during the session. The question will prompt your mentee to explore their thoughts further, keeping the conversation judgment-free and focused on them.
- Use the Question to Guide Your Approach:
- Use the selected question naturally within the conversation. For instance, if the mentee shares a challenge, you could say, “What’s most challenging for you in that situation?” to encourage them to reflect without offering any immediate judgment or advice.
- Reflect on the Session:
- After the session, take a moment to note which questions were effective in encouraging your mentee to open up. You can also identify any themes that emerged and adjust or add questions to the jar for future sessions.
Conclusion/Outcome
The Curiosity Jar activity encourages mentors to approach conversations with an open mind, free of judgment or bias, by focusing on curiosity-driven questions. This creates a safe space where mentees feel valued, supported, and encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives openly.
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