The Value of Coaching and Mentoring in Professional Development

A qualified coach or mentor can serve as a key resource for any organisation. Oftentimes, mentoring and coaching are mistaken for being interchangeable, despite their key similarities.  It is noteworthy that 84% of employees say coaching should be a part of every organisations management and development programme. This statistic highlights the significant advantages associated with mentoring and coaching skills, as they offer companies an opportunity to foster the growth and professional development of their employees. Here we look at the fundamental definitions and differences, while also highlighting the benefits of having trained professionals who can deliver these within organisations.

What are the differences between coaching and mentoring?

Coaching

Coaching is usually carried out by skilled professionals who work with clients enhance their performance and unlock their maximum potential. Coaches possess the expertise to effectively refine their clients’ skills with many strategies including goal-setting with individuals and comprehensive assessments of strengths and areas for improvement. One of the most successful coaches is Bill Campbell, often referred to as “The Coach”. Bill helped train Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, Google co-founder, Larry Page and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg amongst many other well-established entrepreneurs. His motto was “work the team, not the problem” and through his coaching style he managed to help leaders create Billion-dollar companies.

Mentoring

A mentor is a seasoned professional who shares their knowledge and expertise to help improve the skills of those who are less experienced. The American author of “You Were Born Rich” Bob Proctor defines a mentor as “someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself and helps bring it out of you.” This dynamic is often on-going relationship where mentor provides continuous guidance and advice to tackle problems. The mentor serves as a valuable resource for their client’s personal development, which ultimately fosters success in the professional field. A skilled mentor will support through actively listening, demonstrating empathy and providing encouragement.

Similarities

Coaching and mentoring relationships share several fundamental characteristics that contribute their effectiveness in fostering growth and helping individuals and organisations achieve their goals. These include.

• Both help their client and the organisation to achieve their goals
• Both are focused on 1-1 relationships.
• Both require a strong degree of trust, focus and open communication.
• Both can create positive changes to their clients personal and professional lives.

Differences

Whilst coaching and mentoring share many similarities, they also have distinct differences that set them apart in their approach and purpose.

• Coaches are often required for a shorter period, with a mentoring role tending to last over a longer period.
• Mentors need experience in the field they are mentoring in, whereas a coach can use their skills in any field to encourage success through questions asked and tools used.
• Coaching is more task focused whereas mentoring is more relationship focused.

Benefits

Coaching and mentoring professionals offer many benefits for both the individual and the organisation. The individual being trained can develop excellent communicational skills through their time spent with the coach or mentor. It also promotes confidence and self-improvement through various tasks and working towards and achieving their goals. They can develop a new sense of self-awareness through their regular meetings evaluating progress and therefore pass on their newfound knowledge to others The organisation demonstrates their commitment to employees and their development, by investing their money and time into helping them achieve their personal and professional targets. It also aids the growth of the business, through investing in their employees and helps encourage staff retention.

To conclude, it is evident how valuable coaches and mentors can be to an organisation and individual and in the importance to harness their potential to facilitate growth, learning and professional success. Our ILM Certificate in Coaching and Management Level 5 equips practising managers to introduce coaching and mentoring into the workplace and perform effectively, where our Level 7 certificate is perfect for senior professionals who regularly coach and mentor at a senior level.

To find out more about these courses head to www.salford.ac.uk/spd/course