What is the difference between a Coach and a Mentor?
A Mentor generally supports individuals from within the same company, sector or function. Although a good Mentor may adopt a coaching approach, they tend to do a considerable amount of advising and their value is in passing on specific industry, company or function knowledge. A Coach is an expert in releasing the potential of an individual, asking powerful questions for the individual themselves to come up with their own solutions. Advice is usually no more than 15% of a coaching interaction. A coach challenges and typically asks more of the individual than has been asked before. A Coach is unbiased and impartial in wanting the best for the Client and will work with a Client on the whole of their life, not just a career path.
