What is the difference between Mentoring and Coaching?
The CIPD differentiates between coaching, mentoring and counselling. It is helpful to understand these differences as, although many of the processes are similar, they are generally delivered by individuals with different qualifications and different relationships with their client.
| Mentoring | Coaching |
|---|---|
| Ongoing relationship that can last for a long period of time | Relationship generally has a set duration |
| Can be more informal and meetings can take place as and when the mentee needs some advice, guidance or support | Generally more structured in nature and meetings are scheduled on a regular basis |
| More long-term and takes a broader view of the person | Short-term (sometimes time-bounded) and focused on specific development areas/issues |
| Mentor is usually more experienced and qualified than the ‘mentee’. Often a senior person in the organisation who can pass on knowledge, experience and open doors to otherwise out-of-reach opportunities | Coaching is generally not performed on the basis that the coach needs to have direct experience of their client’s formal occupational role, unless the coaching is specific and skills-focused |
| Focus is on career and personal development | Focus is generally on development/issues at work |
| Agenda is set by the mentee, with the mentor providing support and guidance to prepare them for future roles | The agenda is focused on achieving specific, immediate goals |
| Mentoring resolves more around developing the mentee professional | Coaching revolves more around specific development areas/issues |
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