What is the Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring?

It is important to define the differences between coaching and mentoring in order to understand them, for they are both important in the development of the employee and maintaining or improving productivity.

While employers have always used coaching to teach the necessary skills to raise productivity, they are more and more coming to realise the value of mentoring in maintaining productivity.

What is Coaching?

Coaching is when an expert in their field teaches certain skills to others, whether this is in a classroom setting or on the job training. The coach’s job is to improve performance by passing on their knowledge pertaining to the job as a whole or certain aspects of that job.

The coach helps the employee understand their strengths and weaknesses pertaining to the functions they need to carry out and shows them where improvements need to be made.

Coaching is pre-planned and subject to set time constraints.

What is Mentoring?

While coaching involves teaching, mentoring is more about guidance from a person with the experience and knowledge necessary to do that. It is not constrained by time; indeed, it may be a long-term project, and will be in a one-on-one setting.

Mentoring will be less about the physical and mental capabilities to do the job, and more about the individual developing their self-esteem and maintaining the psychological wellness of the individual in order to increase productivity and job effectiveness.

What Are The 3 Types of Coaching Styles?

Autocratic

This is the style of coaching where the coach tells you what to do. Think of it like being at school, the teacher tells you what to do and you follow those instructions.

Democratic

This is when a discussion takes place between you and the coach based on how you are going to move forward. You will discuss with your coach how you are going to make the changes you need, and they will offer suggestions and support you in the process.

Holistic Coaching

This type of coaching will take into account all aspects of your life, the whole person and what you need to do to achieve balance and you may be directed to meditate, or to try holistic therapies such as reiki.

Which Style is Best?

This really depends on you; different people and personalities respond differently to different coaching styles. Therefore, when deciding which approach is best, take a long hard look at how you respond to the way other people treat you and think about which approach is the most appealing.

If you respond best to someone instructing you and you following those instructions, then look for an autocratic approach. If you prefer to negotiate how you reach your goals, then look for a coach with a democratic approach. If you are looking for someone who will look at all aspects of your life and work with you to change/improve those, then look for a holistic coach.