Breaking Down the Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring
Reskilling and competency development is top of mind for many CHROs―which is imperative when you consider the large gaps in bench strength. There are not enough leaders ready for tomorrow, and the need for new skills and capabilities to meet the fast-changing needs of evolving industries is growing steadily. The natural place to go in terms of intervention is to “focus on reskilling: however,that’s misleading on its own.We think that the rate of transformation we are undergoing in society is something we can keep up with―that training and reskilling alone will get us there. While it is absolutely important to ensure that people have the technical or speciality skills they require for a job,it just isn’t enough.It’s those capabilities―foundational or PowerSkills as Berin labels them―that are going to make a difference. So, that means we need better and more effective ways to help people develop these skills/capabilities. They are highly complex, and require not only knowledge acquisition that comes from training, but also the opportunities for reflective practice, applied learning, real-time observation and feedback as well as guidance.Mentoring and coaching are two approaches that are important in the development of these power skills. However, they are two distinct approaches to development, used for specific purposes.
Mentoring vs. Coaching
While both coaching and mentoring have gone through a shift over the last decades―one from a deficit and “fix” model to an empowerment perspective―they are not the same. Let’s first start with formal definitions to see the differences.Coaching involves an experienced coach, partnering with clients to help them reflect on themselves, their situation and context, and to identify new insights and actions to unlock potential, enhance wellbeing and improve performance.In comparison, mentoring is an interpersonal relationship of support, conversation and learning, where an experienced person (mentor) invests the expertise and knowledge they have acquired to promote the development of another person (protégé) who has skills to acquire and professional goals to achieve.From the definitions alone, it’s clear that mentorship is more about guidance and advice giving to aid growth and development, whereas coaching is about asking powerful, provoking questions to enable a person to come up with their own solutions. Further, mentorship tends to be focused on specific skill and knowledge acquisition for career development, usually related to technical skills. Coaching, on the other hand, tends to focus on helping a person grow holistically and is more performance oriented, usually related to growing power skills.
When to use each
Both coaching and mentoring are highly impactful development interventions, with strong evidence to support their effectiveness. Both produce many positive outcomes for the individual being coached or mentored―many very similar. For example, mentoring has been shown to yield positive career-related outcomes such as higher job performance and job satisfaction, result in better career advancement and promotions over time, and have positive psychological benefits (Allen et al., 2004; Underhill, 2006, and Eby et al., 2013).Coaching has been linked to higher performance outcomes in terms of goal achievement, great skill acquisition and development, enhanced well-being, higher work satisfaction and productivity, as well as positive psychological outcomes (Theebom et al., 2014; Jones et al., 2016).While both interventions have impacts on some similar outcomes, these interventions clearly operate differently and for unique purposes. Consider the following questions as a starting point for determining the most appropriate approach for development:
- Is the focus area of development related to the employee’s current short- or medium-term personal growth and current role performance (coaching), or is it about long-term career management (mentoring)?
- Is the focus about developing a personal plan (coaching) or being developed by someone else (mentoring)?
- Is the focus about managing the self (coaching), or about leveraging connections and relationships from another (mentoring)?
- Is it about exploration and greater self awareness (coaching) or acquisition of domain specific knowledge (mentoring).
Personalizing development with the right path
Organizations are moving away from the ‘sheep dip’ approach to development, and finally leaning into development from the 70/20/10 approach that was evidenced more than 30 years ago through the CCL’s groundbreaking findings outlined in the Lessons from Experience. This approach is where people learn and grow from 70% challenging experiences and assignments, 20% developmental relationships and 10% coursework and training. By widening and deepening an organization’s toolkit for development, it is better placed to meet the unique needs of its people. Coaching and mentoring are both needed, but each has a place in every organization's suite of development interventions.
FAQ
At CoachHub, we believe in the power of aligning individual growth with organisational objectives. Our dedicated coaches work closely with coachees to ensure that their growth plans are directly linked to your company's overarching goals. This includes addressing specific leadership development needs within different departments or teams, and recognising that each area may have unique challenges and requirements.
To achieve this alignment, we collaborate closely with our clients and their senior leaders, taking the time to understand their organisation's specific challenges, objectives, and organisational culture well. By gaining deep insights into your company's dynamics, we can tailor coaching plans that address the specific needs of different teams and individuals.
Our approach is highly customised and adaptable. We recognise that each coachee has unique requirements, and we leverage our expertise to develop coaching plans that are relevant and effective for all participants, regardless of their role or level within the organisation. Whether it's helping to develop leaders, retain talent, improve leadership skills of middle management, or support C-suite executives, our coaching programs are designed to cater to diverse needs and ensure maximum impact.
By aligning growth plans with your company's objectives, we create a cohesive approach that enhances overall organisational success. Our coaches help coachees identify areas for improvement, set meaningful goals, and develop actionable strategies to bridge the gap between their current competencies and the desired leadership abilities. This alignment not only facilitates personal and professional growth but also contributes to the long-term success of your organisation.
With CoachHub, you can be confident that our coaching programs are tailored to address the specific leadership development efforts within your organisation. By collaborating closely with our clients, we ensure that our coaching plans are relevant, effective, and aligned with your company's objectives, driving growth and excellence across all departments and levels.
At CoachHub, we understand the importance of scalability when it comes to your leadership development program. That's why our programs are thoughtfully designed to accommodate a large number of participants simultaneously, ensuring that organisations of all sizes can benefit from our services. Whether you have a small team or a global workforce, our coaching platform is equipped to handle the scale.
With our advanced digital coaching platform, we bring high-quality coaching directly to employees all over the world. The beauty of our online sessions is that participants can access them from anywhere, at any time. This flexibility empowers employees to engage in coaching without geographical constraints or time zone limitations. Whether they're working from home, travelling for business, or stationed in a different country, our platform ensures that they can easily connect with their coach and participate in sessions at their convenience.
The digital nature of our coaching platform also means that participants can enjoy a consistent and seamless coaching experience, regardless of their location. Through video calls, instant messaging, and other interactive tools, our platform fosters a sense of connection and engagement between the coaches and participants. This virtual environment not only saves time and resources but also allows for regular and ongoing coaching support without the need for in-person meetings.
By leveraging the power of technology, our scalable coaching programs break down barriers and provide accessible coaching solutions to organisations and individuals around the globe. Whether it's a small team or a multinational corporation, our platform ensures that every participant can benefit from high-quality coaching, anytime and anywhere.
Absolutely! CoachHub's leadership development program is designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing talent development and performance management initiatives. We understand that every company has its own unique needs and goals, and that's why our coaching sessions are completely tailored to meet those requirements. Whether you're looking to strengthen leadership skills, foster personal growth, or achieve organisational success, our program aligns perfectly with your company's specific objectives.
By customising our coaching sessions, we ensure that each individual receives the guidance and support they need to thrive. We take the time to understand their strengths, challenges, and aspirations, and then craft a coaching experience that caters to their personal growth journey. This way, we can provide targeted development opportunities that directly contribute to their success within your organisation.
When you integrate our program with your leadership development efforts and performance management initiatives, you create a powerful synergy. Our tailored approach complements and reinforces your existing efforts, allowing you to build a comprehensive framework for maximising the potential of your workforce. Together, we can create an environment where employees are motivated, empowered, and equipped with the skills they need to excel.
So, rest assured that with CoachHub's leadership development program, you can easily integrate coaching into your existing initiatives and achieve remarkable results that align with your company's requirements.
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