What's the difference between executive coaching and mentoring?
Summary: Coaching and mentoring are often seen as one and the same, and while there may be some similarities at first glance, they are fundamentally different disciplines, with distinct differences in their approach. We are lucky to meet so many potential coaches in our strategy sessions, and this is a question that pops up often - ‘I have always been a mentor, how is coaching different?’ or ‘I’m not sure if I’m leaning more towards coaching or mentoring’, so, hopefully, this will help clear any uncertainties you may have experienced around coaching.
Author:
Ridhima Dosani
Read Time: 5 mins
Table of Contents
What’s the difference between executive coaching and mentoring?
First, let’s look at leadership mentoring
A mentor is typically someone you’d seek out for further development. This would be a senior, more experienced professional in your industry or career field, who will work closely with you over a longer period of time. Mentoring often happens within the workplace, where a more knowledgeable member of staff will impart their expertise onto someone.
The nature of this relationship is on-going, it doesn’t always have a defined structure or even a strict goal. The mentor and mentee are more likely to check in as and when necessary, the mentor will help fill in the gaps in knowledge of their mentee. Sometimes, you may find there is less of a focus on performance in mentoring, but rather overall personal and professional confidence and skill development.
A mentor can help in these areas:
Inspire individuals to see what can be possible in their field
Imparting industry specific knowledge and personal expertise acquired through their own professional development
Succession - current CEO could mentor their successor to take over for them
It’s important to remember that mentoring requires no qualification, although training could be beneficial.
2. What about executive coaching?
Now, in executive coaching, coaching relationships will have clear objectives and timeframes, although there should always be flexibility for those to change and adapt according to client’s needs.
An executive coach will focus on specific areas of improvement and will be knowledgeable in a number of coaching techniques and approaches to help the client arrive at the solutions themselves. This is why we put emphasis on the art of asking the right questions that will help to identify roadblocks your client may not be aware of and how to clear them. Ultimately, you will very rarely find yourself giving advice and personal opinion on a client’s problem.
In terms of timeframes, executive coaching will have more defined timescales compared to leadership mentoring, although a great coach will be able to consistently provide value and prompt new pathways for change to their client, which will ultimately support and enable their continued success.
A coach can help with:
Structured, planned development and targeting specific issues or roadblocks
Non-directive approach focusing on asking the right questions so you can identify problems and appropriate solutions by having a safe space to explore them
A coaching plan that focuses on performance
Qualifications are highly recommended and mostly considered necessary to become a truly effective executive coach.
3. When should you use executive coaching vs leadership mentoring?
There is, of course, a time and place for both and you will also be able to experience switching between these approaches while studying for your coach qualification.
For example, while you are developing your skills, you will have access to experienced mentors who will impart their knowledge onto you and will be invaluable resources in your professional development.
You will also get to experience being a coach yourself, and, if you choose to barter for coach experience hours with other students, you will also get coached by someone else.
Generally speaking, you will see mentoring approaches in succession and staff training situations and coaching approaches when it comes to tackling specific issues and roadblocks for a more measurable, goal-driven result and you’ll learn exactly when to switch from one approach to another.
4. Still unsure of your career direction? Get advice from our team
The bottom line is, no matter whether you’re coming from a coaching or mentoring background, or if you have no experience, one thing that we all share is our drive to help people bring out the best in themselves. Coaching is a rewarding career that allows you to do exactly that. And the best part? No matter your journey so far, you can use it to your advantage!
Whether you have industry-specific experience, or a personal empathy that others connect with, or even no previous experience at all, but a willingness to bring a fresh perspective and insight to your clients - we can help you on your way to coaching success by showing you advanced techniques used by top 5% of coaches, as well as mentoring you to becoming fully ICF certified.
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