SLATE, the mentoring method
The five steps every SCORE mentoring session follows.
SLATE is the approach to SCORE mentoring. It is not a script, and it is not consulting — the point throughout is that the client reaches their own decision, with you as a thinking partner rather than the person with the answer.
The steps run in order, but they are not equal in length. Most of a first meeting is spent in Listen and Learn. Mentors new to SLATE tend to rush that step to get to advice, which is the single most common mistake.
The five steps
S
Stop and Suspend Judgment
State the purpose of the meeting clearly. Put your attention on the client and engage them to tell their story. Hold back your assessment while they are still talking.
This is the hardest step.
L
Listen and Learn
Listen actively. Ask questions that make the client think more deeply rather than questions that gather facts you want. Keep learning what they actually need as the session goes on — it is often not what they said at the start.
When clients say a mentor did not listen, it shows up here, and it shows up in the survey afterwards.
A
Assess and Analyze
Use exploratory dialogue to help the client assess the issue themselves, and help them work through it logically and methodically so they can decide on a course of action. You are helping them think, not delivering a verdict.
T
Test Ideas and Teach with Tools
Give the client a way to test an idea rather than accept it. Point them at tools that expand what they know — a worksheet, a template, a workshop recording.
This is where the client resource library earns its place. Pick one or two things, not ten.
E
Expectations Setting and Encourage the Dream
Close deliberately. Summarise, agree clear next steps, and encourage them — entrepreneurship is lonely and encouragement is part of the job.
Talk about the next meeting specifically, and set the date before they leave.
Observing SLATE in co-mentoring
During your provisional co-mentoring sessions, use these questions with the mentor you observed, or with your Buddy Coach. When you lead the session, you are the mentor in the observation.
Stop and Suspend Judgment
- Was the purpose of the meeting clearly stated?
- How did the mentor show focused attention on the client?
- In what ways did the mentor engage the client?
- How did the mentor suspend judgment while the client spoke?
Listen and Learn
- In what ways did the mentor listen actively and ask questions that made the client think deeply?
- How was the mentor learning more about the client’s needs as time went on?
Assess and Analyze
- How did the mentor use questions to help the client assess the issues?
- How did the mentor help the client analyse the issues methodically enough to choose a course of action?
Test Ideas and Teach with Tools
- How did the mentor create opportunities to test or refine an idea?
- What tools did the mentor suggest?
- In what ways did the client learn more about their own idea during the session?
Expectations and Encouragement
- How did the mentor end the session?
- Were clear expectations and next steps agreed?
- How did the mentor encourage the client?
- Did the mentor talk specifically about a next meeting?
Then ask yourself: which parts of SLATE will be your strengths, and which will be harder for you? How will you improve those? SLATE is only the process — do you also know how to find the SCORE mentors and resources to cover the business content you are not expert in?