What is Coaching?
Coaching is a process where a coach helps someone achieve their goals by transferring their skills. It is a form of guidance that helps individuals or groups to develop their skills and abilities with the goal of improving performance. A coachee is a term that refers to the person being coached.
The coachee has control over what they want to achieve. However, it is the coach’s responsibility to help them reach that goal by providing feedback and guidance to ensure there is a progressive improvement.
Coaching can be done in person or remotely. For example, you can watch videos where a coach takes you through a skill. However, it achieves more results if it has some form of communication between the two people involved in order for them to work together on achieving their goals.
In coaching, one or more people with expertise in a particular area guide an individual or group through the actions necessary to solve problems, reach personal goals, and develop skills. It is common in an organizational setup where a company approaches a coach to help their employees improve their skills.
What is Mentoring?
Mentoring is the act of a more experienced person guiding a less experienced one. The more experienced person is called the mentor, and the less experienced person is called the mentee.
Mentors can share their knowledge and experience with their mentees, which will help them grow. They can also act as a sounding board and confidant, helping their mentee sort through challenges they face.
If you, as an individual desire to be mentored, you have to take the initiative. For the relationship to be beneficial, be honest with yourself. Approach the person you think will be of great help in the area you want help in. Let them know what you’re looking for in terms of help, and they will advise you accordingly.
You also have to openly tell them your strengths and weaknesses and what you would like to accomplish. If you cannot devote yourself to learning and practicing, it will be difficult for you to succeed and make the most of your time.
Mentoring can happen with or without communication between the mentor and mentee, but most involves regular contact with an established mentor who provides advice and guidance as they continue reaching their own goals.
Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring
Coaching is done by a professional or a group of professionals who help an individual or group of people reach their goals and improve their performance. Coaches hold qualifications and provide specialized advice to the coachee.
Mentoring is done by an individual, a senior person in experience, who has achieved success to provide support for the mentee. He gives guidance and wisdom to an individual or group.
It is correct to say that a mentor is someone who has been in your shoes before and can provide practical advice, gained from their years of experience.
Comparison Between Coaching and Mentoring
| Parameter of Comparison | Coaching | Mentoring |
| Time spent | Takes a short time. | Last for a long term, sometimes the entire life of mentor and mentee depending on how they find the relationship beneficial. |
| Deliverables | Concentrates on a specific skill the person or organization desires. | Looks at the total aspect of a person’s development with the goal of seeing the person improve their life. |
| Structure | Has a structure that can be repeated. | Does not have structure and depends on what is of interest to the mentee at a specific time. |
| Qualifications | Requires specific qualifications. | Relies on a mentor’s life experience. |
| Results | Performance is measured. | Performance is not measured. |
References
- https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=TMovEAAAQBAJ&lpg=PA5&ots=atBzBODus_&dq=coaching%20and%20mentoring&lr&pg=PA6#v=onepage&q=coaching%20and%20mentoring&f=false
- https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=hahc1HhW4NYC&lpg=PP7&ots=XMXFucvYjz&dq=coaching%20and%20mentoring&lr&pg=PA2#v=onepage&q=coaching%20and%20mentoring&f=false