Coaching and Mentoring
There are many snappy definitions of coaching - quick 60- second 'elevator' speeches and 'audio logos' are available to explain what coaching is and what it can do for the client, usually in relation to what the coach wants to (or is prepared to) offer.
The reasons for undertaking coaching, the methods used and the results achieved are unique to every individual. However, the fundamental philosophy of coaching is contained within the following simple, clear definition:
Coaching is a relationship that is designed in such a way as to enhance the process of lifelong learning , effectiveness and fulfilment .
Identifying the Difference
What is the difference between coaching and other forms of personal and professional development?
The question 'what is coaching?' often results in a series of explanations that try to give coaching a meaningful value or possible benefit. These explanations often cloud the understanding of coaching.
Recently, at a party, the following conversation took place between two guests meeting for the first time.
'Hi . . . So, I work in pharmaceuticals. What do you do?'
'Oh - I'm a coach.'
'Oh, you coach sports - great. What sports do you coach?'
'No- I work with individuals in whatever area or issues they would like to focus on to enhance their lives'
'Okay - Is that like therapy?'
'No . . .'
'Oh, you mean life coaching - like in woman's magazines?'
Before the conversation had finished, coaching had been likened to a voice coach, mentoring and then finishing with:
'Oh - you're a consultant then?'
The coach felt stumped and quickly changed the conversation to another subject.
Coaching has become a modern buzzword, and as a result coaching has often been misrepresented in the professional arena. There are several ways to train as a coach or to become involved in other developmental arenas, such as therapy, counselling, mentoring, training and consulting. Sometimes coaching jargon is used in a variety of professions to illustrate validity or jazz old themes. This has tended to dilute the power and real value of the professional coaching process. In turn, it also muddies the water of the value and expertise of other developmental practices.
Therapy/ Counselling
'The overall aim of counselling is to provide an opportunity for the client to work towards living in a way he or she experiences as more satisfying and resourceful.'
The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), taken from Learning to Counsel by Jan Sutton and William Stewart.
Therapy is used in times of personal crisis, where resolution is based on a re-examination of the past in order to make the patient feel whole, resourceful and creative in their own right. Coaching starts from the point that all coachees are already naturally creative, resourceful and whole. As one coach put it, there tends to be 'a sadness' involved in therapeutic work, such as bereavement. The following examples of therapy juxtaposed coaching words help to illustrate the differences between these two disciplines:
| Therapy | Coaching |
| Why me/why this? | What's next/what now? |
| Overcoming obstacles | Sustainable flow |
| Looks back | Raising standards |
| Somewhat vulnerable | Actively building |
| Needs help | Frustration |
| Pain | Present/future |
| Professional arm's length | Uniqueness |
| Healing of emotion | Related experiences |
| Damage | Missed opportunities |
| Restoration | Unlimited scope |
Mentoring
Mentoring is traditionally associated with a more experienced person guiding and passing on their knowledge and experience to others. The mentee could be following in their mentor's footsteps or using them as a role model. The modern twist to this is the 'reverse mentoring process'. This is a relationship in which a younger person has experience that they can share with the older generation - such as IT technology. Essentially mentoring is about sharing knowledge and experience.
Training
Training is used when a skill - whether situational, theoretical or practical - needs to be taught. Examples of training related activities include using new IT software, learning how to cook or learning to use a new managerial process at work. The information is taught in a perscriptive mode.
Consultants
Consultants are used for the skills and experience that they can impart in a given situation. Consultants can give specific advice to an individual about the options available and the pros and cons of the choices they make. You hire a consultant to advise you how to go about a process.
