Here at Mentorloop, we often hear of a mentor being referred to as a coach and vice versa. It’s completely understandable why. They are both motivated to make an impact on somebody else’s life either professionally or personally. However, we believe there are several key differences between the two and the distinction is worth making.
In this post, we share what we believe are some of the key differentiators of coach vs mentor:
Four Key Differences Between A Coach And A Mentor
1. Money
As far we are concerned, one of the key differences is that a coach is remunerated for their services, whereas a mentor’s reward is altruistic.
A mentor is generally motivated to give back and therefore donates their time and expertise to the mentee. They do not consider this to be their ‘profession’ but rather a philanthropic exercise.
On the other hand, a coach is financially motivated and the delivery of their services is often through a professional engagement.
2. Outcome
A coach is usually engaged to assist with a particular problem thereby being more task-oriented. Examples include improving public speaking skills, managing people more effectively or developing leadership attributes.
Mentoring is relationship-focused. The mentor is there to provide the mentee with general guidance and support, holding their hand through certain issues as opposed to telling them how to do it.
3. Time
Given a coach in most instances is paid, the engagement is generally time-bound. This may be a pre-determined deadline or based on reaching a particular outcome.
While some mentor programs run for a set period of time (i.e. 6 months), the relationship is certainly not defined by this time frame. In fact, once a program has finished, many relationships continue in an informal capacity for what could be a number of years.
4. Initiative
In a coaching scenario, learning is directed by the coach rather than the student.
Within a mentoring relationship, the expectation falls to the mentee to cultivate and drive the relationship.
There is a place for both coaching and mentoring in the professional and personal development space. However, we believe it is important to articulate the difference between the two methods to ensure expectations are aligned and relationships thrive.
Too often mentees believe their mentor is there to not only direct the relationship but also deliver tangible outcomes. One of the most frequent frustrations we hear from mentors is that their mentee expects them to hook them up with a job or that they have to continually follow up with their mentee for action.
Top Tip: If you are entering into a mentoring relationship, avoid any confusion by documenting goals and expectations early so that everyone gets the most out of the experience.
Coach vs. Mentor: What’s the Difference?
From professional athletes to corporate executives, the use of coaches and mentors has become commonplace in the pursuit of success. But while the terms are often used interchangeably, there are significant distinctions between the two concepts. Below, we unpack the different definitions of coaching and mentoring, along with the advantages of having both a coach and a mentor. We’ll also investigate the return on investment (ROI) of mentoring over coaching and explore when a mentor might be the best for you, when a coach would be preferable, and the considerations for HR teams choosing between mentoring and coaching.
The Definitions of Coaching and Mentoring
Coaching and mentoring have different goals and approaches, but they can be complementary in a development plan.
Coaching is a form of development in which an individual is given real-time feedback and guidance as they work toward a goal. The coaching process can cover anything from personal development to skill-building and performance improvement. Coaches encourage their charges to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for growth, set goals, and build action plans to achieve desired results.
Mentoring is a process in which a more experienced individual provides advice and guidance to a less experienced individual, most often in fields like management or leadership. Mentors typically focus on long-term career development, they take a big-picture approach to progress and offer advice and counselling in the acquisition of knowledge and experience.
Coaching and mentoring can be used together to create a comprehensive development plan that helps individuals reach their goals and maximize their potential.
The Differences Between Mentoring and Coaching
At a glance, it can be easy to confuse coaching and mentoring with one another. But there are key differences between these two forms of development:
| Mentoring | Coaching |
| Mentors are experienced and trusted advisors – the mentee is more likely to ask many questions, tapping into the mentor’s expertise. | Coaches ask thought-provoking questions in order to help make important decisions and take action. |
| Typically, mentoring is less structured to be more personalized. However, it encourages agenda-setting and goal-setting. | Coaching generally follows more structure and frameworks and thus is more standardized. |
| Focused more on long-term outcomes such as preparing for retirement or navigating career options. | Focused primarily on helping individuals achieve specific short-term goals within a certain timeframe. |
| Mentors take on a more passive role – mentees drive the relationship | Coaches take an active role – they drive the relationship. |
| Mentoring is mainly development-driven – and looks to the mentee to decide what is important to them, what they wish to achieve and which goals they have for their mentoring relationships | Focus on the immediate task at hand and provide guidance on how to achieve specific goals. |
| Mentors do not need to be certified to be effective mentors. | Coaches generally hold a qualification. |
| Mentoring is mainly development driven – and looks to the mentee to decide what is important to them, what they wish to achieve and which goals they have for their mentoring relationships | Coaching is performance-driven – and encourages the individual or individuals being coached to perform in their day-to-day roles. |
Unlike coaches, mentors typically take a passive role. They provide advice when asked but they rarely offer direct or specific guidance unless requested by their mentees. Similarly, while coaches usually stay focused on short-term goals like improving performance at work or developing a new skill, mentors might be tasked with helping their protégés plan for their future or strengthen soft skills such as communication skills or problem-solving abilities.
Mentors often provide a more holistic approach to development, as they are more likely to focus on the individual’s overall well-being and career trajectory. They may also provide guidance on how to navigate difficult situations or how to make the most of opportunities. Coaches, on the other hand, are more likely to focus on the immediate task at hand and provide guidance on how to achieve specific goals.
Mentoring and coaching are both valuable tools for personal and professional development. While they may have some similarities, it is important to understand the differences between the two in order to make the most of either approach. By understanding the unique benefits of each, individuals can make informed decisions about which approach is best suited to their needs.
Examining the Interplay Between Coaching and Mentoring
Although coaching and mentoring are not necessarily mutually exclusive, it’s essential to understand how they can work in tandem. Coaches challenge individuals to work hard and stay accountable in order to accomplish goals, while mentors motivate and encourage through moral support and guidance, often providing insight gained from wisdom accumulated over years of experience. Both of these roles help individuals to think critically about their development plans, helping them grow personally and professionally.
Coaching is often seen as a more directive approach, with the coach providing specific advice and guidance to help the individual reach their goals. Mentoring, on the other hand, is more of a supportive role, with the mentor providing emotional support and encouragement, as well as advice and guidance. The mentor is often seen as a role model, providing the individual with a positive example to follow.
The interplay between coaching and mentoring is an important one, as both roles are essential for helping individuals reach their goals. Coaches provide the structure and accountability needed to stay on track, while mentors provide the emotional support and guidance needed to stay motivated and inspired.
By combining the two, individuals can gain the best of both worlds, and reach their goals more quickly and effectively.
The ROI of Mentoring Over Coaching
Though both have their advantages, mentoring tends to have greater returns—not only in terms of money but also in terms of personal growth. Being guided by an experienced individual as you navigate through different stages in your career makes you better prepared to tackle life’s challenges. A good mentor can help you gain the skills needed to reach your highest potential, whether it be learning how to make difficult decisions or how to manage stress effectively.
Financially speaking, mentors can provide guidance on things like salary negotiations, expense management, and other areas that can greatly contribute to overall financial success. Studies have also shown that employees who have access to a mentor often experience reduced job stress, improved job satisfaction, increased job security, and higher rates of career advancement, along with important considerations such as reducing burnout.
Mentoring can also help to build a strong network of contacts, which can be invaluable in the long run, as well as advice on how to make the most of networking opportunities, as well as how to build relationships with key people in the industry. All of these open up new opportunities for career advancement and help to create a more successful career path.
Did you know that mentoring programs can, not only turbocharge the learning and development at your organisation, but also supplement your existing initiatives? Invest in your people and start building a mentoring program today!
