Just this morning I was asked by someone – well what is the difference between coaching and mentoring anyway? The following article is really a broad view of my answer to him.
More recently, as a coach, I have been warming to the idea of mentoring relationships over coaching. Targeting clients where I have deep experience to be able to mentor them.
As someone who’s worked extensively in both capacities, I can tell you that while there are similarities, they serve quite different purposes in a leadership journey.
Mentoring and Coaching
At its core, mentoring implies a relationship that has one party (the mentor) further down a similar, or the same path to the other party (the mentee). The mentor usually has personal skills and experience in the mentees space. Almost like a Master – Apprentice relationship.
The coach , while often skilled in certain areas, are usually more geared towards the people the “client” they are working with and do not necessarily have to have taken the same path as the client. Often skilled at softer skills including self awareness, mindsets and asking great questions to help the client unpick their own challenges and solve them in real time.
Now clearly both disciplines have a lot of crossover.
Forward-Looking In Nature
Mentoring is often about exploring and unpacking recognized future potential.
A mentor brings relevant experience to the relationship having walked a similar path to their mentee. In corporate settings, for example, this experience often manifests as senior leaders guiding junior colleagues through their career journey.
The mentor’s firsthand experience in facing similar challenges provides invaluable insights and perspective to the mentee.
Present-Focused Value of Coaching
Coaching, on the other hand, focuses more on the present moment and immediate steps forward.
A coach doesn’t necessarily need direct experience in their client’s field – instead, they’re skilled at asking probing questions and helping individuals identify and overcome their current obstacles. They excel at “unpicking” situations and facilitating self-discovery.
Both and of Coaching and Mentoring
Despite some differences, both approaches share common techniques:
- Asking thoughtful questions
- Practicing active listening
- Bringing empathy to conversations.
Both aim to create forward momentum and positive change, and as qualified coach I love the fact I can switch between the two disciplines as needed.
The Value of Experience in Mentoring
In my work with small to medium business owners, I focus on mentoring because of my extensive experience in this space. I have started, run and advised hundreds of businesses, their owners and leaders over the past 25 years.
The Forge Mentor program is designed with the mentoring discipline in mind – providing business leaders with someone who understands their journey and can help navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, business growth and personal leadership.
Take Action: Join The Forged Mentor Community
Did you know that most leaders feel like they have to figure their journey out alone?
Having a mentor and coach in your corner who understands your journey aspirations and challenges are invaluable for your personal and professional growth.
You can continue this conversation inside The Forged Mentor, our monthly mentoring program for business owners and leaders.
It’s free to connect with more interactive programs starting from $199 per month – you will join a community of like minded leaders and receive great content, advice and community, so you don’t have to do this journey alone.
