Coaching vs Mentoring: The difference

As a certified leadership coach and mentor, I’m often asked about the differences between these two roles. Here are some thoughts about the distinction and how powerful they can be when applied together to support a leader as they evolve.

Coaching: Achieving key goals

Bottom line: there is a lot going on in your work life—you want to find a better way to meet the challenges you’re facing every day. You decide it might be a good idea to connect with a new person who is trained and committed to helping you move forward. That person is a coach.

A coach creates a spontaneous, open relationship that is a safe and powerful space for the client to work through what matters most, including their goals, their needs, or something they want to improve.

Coaching is client-directed in the sense that during each session the topic and the desired outcome are determined by the client.  The client can decide to work towards a tangible outcome such as a financial result, or intangible goals like feeling happier, more peaceful and more inspired. Or, perhaps a combination of both.

Throughout the journey, the coach manages the conversation, facilitating a process of client self-discovery, self-awareness, goal setting, and planning, all while “checking-in” periodically with the client to ensure they are making progress towards the agreed-upon outcome established at the start of each session.

Coaching is developmental in the sense that the client will learn how to accomplish more with less effort.  It is also evolutionary as the client will begin to think differently and expand how they view themselves and their world. 

Mentoring: Accelerating professional development

Bottom line: You’ve got a full plate. It’s hard to find the time to develop professionally. It’s also hard to know where to start and how to proceed. How about collaborating with a leader who has ‘been there, done that’; someone with the skills and expertise to provide you with insights, guidance and structure? That person is a leadership mentor.

A leadership mentor brings their broad experience to influence, guide and direct the professional development of a leader.  The mentor knows what information to share and the best way to share it so the leader stays focused as they develop to their next level. They work together on developing the required leadership competencies, thinking and acting like a leader, strengthening the team and defining long-range goals. 

In my work as a mentor, I also provide training modules as a concrete deliverable, based on my experience and research as a leadership coach.

Ready to start a conversation? Reach out to me at len.madigan.coaching@gmail.com