When companies talk about leadership development, words like "coaching" and "mentoring" often get thrown around frequently. Not only that, but the terms are used interchangeably. So, most listeners just assume they mean the same thing and quite reasonably so.
Certainly, at first glance, they do seem to be one and the same: Both, after all, involve an authority figure who helps guide a leader to success.
And that's the same thing, right? Well, no.
In reality, there's a big difference between mentoring and leadership coaching; and both tasks are essential. What's more, when development programs combine or mis-label the two, leaders miss out.
So, what’s the difference, and why should we care?
Here’s what "mentoring" and "leadership coaching" actually mean, and why both are important to leadership development:
Mentors use their own experience
Mentoring is more relationship-based rather than performance-based: The mentor shares his or her own personal experiences, insights and knowledge with the mentee. Mentoring isn’t focused on specific skills and actions to improve them - it’s more about overall development.
On the flip side, mentees may also share their experiences with mentors. They can ask them for advice, vent, test out new ideas and more.
Coaches focus on action
While mentoring comes from the experience of the mentor, leadership coaching does the opposite -- it comes from the experience of those being coached. Mentors share their experiences, but coaches prompt leaders to reflect on their experience and draw their own conclusions.
For example, a mentor will point out what he or she thinks a mentee could have done better, while a coach will ask the individual what he or she could improve on and how to make that happen. Leadership coaching is more active and requires leaders to think not just about improving, but also how to create an action plan.
Reflection makes better leaders
When leaders are told what they need to change or how they should have handled a situation, they'll typically agree to do better next time around. But coaches make sure that these aren’t just empty promises- they’re plans for action.
Leadership coaching pushes professionals to set a specific plan for improvement so they can follow through and actually change their behaviour and improve their skills. Coaching requires leaders to draw their own conclusions and develop solutions.
Leaders need someone to coach them to think for themselves while keeping them accountable for their actions and skills development.
Both are needed
Just because they’re different, one isn’t necessarily better than the other -- both mentoring and leadership coaching are important parts of development.
Outside advice and insights from a mentor can help leaders to see new ways of proceeding and learn from the experience of others. The opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and get help setting specific plans for improvement helps those same leaders improve their practical leadership skills.