What is coaching and mentoring?

WHAT IS COACHING AND MENTORING? Coaching refers to a method of training, counselling or instructing an individual or a group how to develop skills to enhance their productivity or overcome a performance problem.

Mentoring is a protected relationship which supports learning and experimentation and helps individuals develop their potential. A Mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person. In an organizational setting, a Mentor influences the personal and professional growth of a Mentee.

In practice, there is considerable overlap between the two interventions as the above definitions suggest. I like the simple definition below… “Coaching is knowing what questions to ask, and mentoring is knowing what answers to give” It is important to understand that in both relationships, the focus is on the person being coached and mentored. A Coach should never be seen as a superior but more as a facilitator to the growth and development of the client.