Differentiating Coaching from Mentoring

As I take different roles both as a coach and a mentor,  and to remain unbiased about either approach, here are some of my learning and experiences.  First, Mentoring focuses on the content or the information. Coaching focuses on the context or the goals or outcomes.  Secondly, the agenda is set by the coachee in coaching whereas in mentoring the agenda is set by the mentor. Thirdly, coach constantly redirects the focus on the coachee whereas a mentor is very transparent and shares a lot of themselves. Fourthly, Coach assists the coachee in identifying needs and locating resources whereas a mentor offers wisdom and resources. Fifthly, in coaching accountability is to coachee’s action plan whereas in mentoring the accountability is to the mentor.

 

Coaching Journal

1. What role is comfortable to you, the role of a coach, mentor, coach-mentor or mentor-coach and why?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each role with regards to empowering a person or developing a person?
3. In what area do you want to improve based on the learning?
4. What is one action step you want to commit starting today?

Responsibility of a Coach

The International Coach Federation adheres to a form of coaching that honors the client as the expert in his/her life and work, believes that every client is creative, resourceful, and whole.standing on this foundation, the coach’s responsibility is to:

• Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve

• Encourage client self-discovery

• Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies

• Hold the client responsible and accountable

 

Coaching Journal

What are you current gaps as a coach?

What competencies do you need to work on for your improvement?

What do you do to ensure your commitment to action steps and progress?

What is one step you will commit to starting today to become a better and powerful coach?