The term coaching is often used interchangeably with mentoring. This is because both these have a lot of similarities.
They are both:
- Effective learning techniques.
- Increase employee engagement and retention.
- Increase confidence and the interpersonal skills
- Can dramatically improve individual performance.
But there are some differences between these two professions and knowing these are important to be able to choose the right support for your development needs
- Qualification: For someone to be a coach they require to undergo formal coach training and get certified in the same. Coaching is domain-independent. Mentoring on the other hand requires specific domain expertise and experience in the client’s area of work.
- Use: Coaching is used to develop and optimize the client’s potential. Mentoring on the other hand is used to develop specific skills and expertise in a specific area of work.
- Relationship: Coaching is a formal relationship that has defined goals and is timebound. Mentoring is generally an informal relationship and has open-ended goals and timelines
- Approach: Coaching is based on conversations that lead to discovery, insights, introspection and reflection. As such coaching is a structured conversation and is largely non-directive. Mentoring conversations are focused on advising and experience sharing. The conversations are often directive.
What about you? Do you need coaching or mentoring for your developmental needs?
#coaching #mentoring #highacheiverscoach