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Mentoring vs Coaching

Earlier this year I received the following email from Robyn, who was doing my Secrets of Mentoring eCourse.

Robyn wrote "I really enjoy your weekly information. But could you provide me with your understanding of the difference between a mentor and a coach? I am asked this a lot and would like to have a great definition! Thanks so much!"

It's a great question which I'm also asked frequently, so I thought today I would share my answer to Robyn with you:
I think it can be quite difficult to distinguish clearly between mentoring and coaching. Different people use different definitions and some people seem to use the two terms interchangeably.

For me, coaching is about improving someone’s performance, whereas mentoring is a broader process which I can only describe as enlightening someone’s journey.

The distinction becomes clearer if you think of an athlete who employs a coach to improve their race performance times, for example. A mentor, on the other hand, might cause the same athlete to slow down, or even stop racing, by introducing them to new opportunities outside their sport or questioning exactly what they want to achieve in life or the longer term.

It is quite common for a good mentor to also do some coaching, or to direct you to someone who can coach you to improve a specific skill. Some of the best coaches, on the other hand, are very focussed on the technicalities of improved performance and don’t look beyond the skill they are helping improve.

However, the two terms have become quite confused recently with the emergence of life coaches who may not only focus on performance improvement, but on an individual’s whole of life journey. I would say they are also mentoring as well as coaching.

I’m not sure that the distinction really matters. Both coaching and mentoring are invaluable in different circumstances and at different times in our life. Occasionally the same person may be able to help us in a range of different ways, but often we will need to look to different people for different things. What is important is that the people involved share an understanding of what they are agreeing to do.

(More ideas on coaching and mentoring in the Quick Tips below)

Quote of Note

"There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self."

Aldous Huxley

Quick Tips

• Both coaching and mentoring can contribute to your success. Like a coach, a good mentor will work with your particular agenda and aspirations within the context of your current organisational roles. However a good mentor can stretch your vision, opportunities and ambition, while a good coach will ensure you have all the skills you need to realise them.
• Both coaching and mentoring are about change and improvement. The best coaches and mentors really understand the change process and how to encourage and guide you during any transition or growth.
• By the way, my Secrets of Mentoring eCourse has proved very popular, so sign up while it is still free. Don't miss the opportunity. Who knows how long it can last? Details>>

© Kerrie Mullins-Gunst
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