The terms mentoring and coaching are often used interchangeably, which mislead many clients. Although the mission is similar, and that is – supporting someone’s development; coaching and mentoring are very different disciplines in practice. It also involves building a long-term relationship that is focused on supporting the growth and development of the client. The mentor becomes a ‘source’ of wisdom, teaching, and essentially a support system. Mentoring offers guidelines for long-term development, while coaching is a tool that can help the client achieve results as quickly as possible.
Many people attribute their professional growth to the help of a patient mentor, a mentor who challenged them to think differently and to look at incoming obstacles from different perspectives. Countless organizations recognize the power of effective mentoring and have established programs that help young professionals recognize and gain the support of a more experienced professional in this format.
