Learning the Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring

There are many of us who come to a point where we are impatient at our slow rate of change. What can we do to accelerate the progress that we desire? Are there people we can work with to unlock innate talent or nurture ability in us? Yes! Coaching and mentoring are two separate yet similar approaches that can help us get “unstuck.”

It is crucial to first understand the difference between coaching and mentoring so that we can know which one is the right fit.

Both coaching and mentoring are effective.

Neither coaching nor mentoring is superior to the other. Rather, they can both be effective. Which you choose depends on your goal and what you feel is right for your stage of life and career, as well as your personality type. While some people may use these terms interchangeably, there are distinct differences that make them unique from one another.

Understanding mentoring.

A mentor provides assistance, heart-felt support and wisdom to someone who is less experienced in a certain field. Like the idea of a trusted advisor, a mentor keeps your best interest front and center when giving advice, and often serves as a positive role model. The relationship is usually longer-term and can be both focused on either professional or personal matters, or both.

Mentors understand that each person is an individual and respect the person they are mentoring enough to support their goals, acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses, and encourage their success. A good mentor will be motivated by and interested in your development and will look to widen your vision. They may ask thought-provoking questions to help you in your own self-examination and reflection.

Understanding coaching.

Just as we understand the role of an athletic coach, so it is with a personal coach. A coach is there to support and push you as you strive to improve your performance in the near future in a specific area. Progress is focused on short-term goals in your professional or personal life. However, improving your short-term performance often leads to an improvement over the long-term as well.

Your coach will normally center your time around chasing and achieving the goals that have been set. An excellent coach harnesses their belief in you to the point where you begin to be able to answer your own questions. Coaching is useful for navigating a roadblock in your personal or professional development.

Experts say that good coaches can unlock the potential inside of an individual so they themselves can maximize their performance. It is the difference between teaching someone to learn rather than just helping them. One of the key differences between coaching and mentoring is the coach will ask, “how?” to many of your statements and questions. The point of this will be to raise your own ability and sharpen your skills.

Selecting an excellent mentor.

Do you gel with the person? A recognized criterion for selecting a mentor is that you and the mentor fit, whether that is personality or just an ease in conversation. This means that it may take a while to find the individual that you are comfortable with, but this time is well spent to ensure you are a good match and are able to maintain a relationship over the long term.

Understanding a potential mentor’s attitude toward learning is part of this discovery process. Besides being an expert in their field, you want them to value the learning opportunity this relationship represents to you. They should be passionate about creating strategies for growth, including utilizing the advantages of your specific skills and natural abilities.

Besides listening skills, a good mentor can give you feedback in a manner that is not only honest, but also constructive. You must feel that you are being helped to move out of your comfort zone, so you will need to understand and trust their advice.

It is not uncommon for mentor and mentee relationships to be based on mutual respect and friendship. Therefore, another question to ask while identifying a mentor is whether they are the type of person whom you would want to become friends with.

Picking the right coach.

A coach does not need to be an expert in your field to help you but should be able to assist you to in the specific area you are looking to grow. Therefore, their belief that you can hurdle these with the right guidance is a requirement. Coaching can be one-on-one or in a group.

When hiring a coach, you are the client. Thus, do your due diligence before investing your time and money in a person. What is their track record? Have they worked with someone in a similar situation to you and what was the outcome?

You can research the training they have undergone and if they have the qualifications that you need to glean from, including if they are affiliated with an industry body. It is important that you recognize that while they may have experience, they also need to be informed of most recent strategies.

Help in choosing between coaching and mentoring.

Deciding on whether coaching or mentoring is best for your stage of life is a significant decision. If you are looking for additional support, browse our directory of counselors or contact our office at Glendale Christian Counseling to schedule an appointment.