Coaching & Mentoring
As an Executive Coach, its interesting to read the differences the programme gives between coaching and mentoring. Whilst I accept that the programme focus is on the role managers play in coaching, coaching itself fulfills a much greater need than just performance issues. I would be intyerested in how you might describe the difference between an external coach (one whose job it is to coach) and that of a manger (one whose job it is to manage performance). David
Sharon,
and they are both great skill sets for a leader/manager to possess, but it can be helpful to distinguish.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am discerning that there is a difference between coaching and mentoring even though both are goal directed.
I think I have braided both processes and now need to spotlight and apply them separately.
Sometimes the employee may not be older. In the teaching field there as been an increase of older individuals entering the field. Mentoring them becomes that much more of a difficult task because they challenge everything and are very set in their ways.
Anita,
this is a good distinction. I know many who would consider your definition of mentoring to be coaching & mentoring to be more involved with an older,more seasoned employee.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
There is a difference between coaching and mentoring. Coaching is driven by performance and mentoring is development driven. Coaching may be short term but mentoring is long term and in mentoring both partners can learn from one another. Coaching focuses on concrete ideas and mentoring is more for personal success. Coaches have a specific agenda whereas mentors are facilitators and path finders who allow people to discover their own direction.
Dr. Anita Malhotra
David ,
good question. Personally I feel the internal "manager" should be fulfilling both a role as a coach & a manager of performance. To me the difference is in the two skill sets of manager & leader. I think both sets of skills are needed to be truly successful, however I do think they are distinct from one another. I seen an external coach as more of an outside consultant who typically has expertise in a particular field & so they can offer that valuable outside,yet based in expertise, perspective.
Dr. Ryan Meers
