One thing I sense a lot from our delegates on the Coaching Certifications or on supervision sessions is a preoccupation about whether the person is coaching or mentoring.
This is an important point of reflection, particularly for new coaches as they’re embracing the craft of supporting other people without giving advice or leading them into a specific direction. At the same time I find that it can sometimes take away from the coach being themselves and fully present with the client.
Because what can happen is that the coach becomes so engrossed in trying to fully embody a coaching mindset that then they lose the flow.
So how do you balance the two? Can you coach and mentor? Do you separate these two methodologies?
- Firstly, it is important for you as a professional to differentiate between coaching and mentoring. This is because of the contracting that you have done with your client in relation to the service you’re providing to them. It is key for you as a coach to identify when you are coaching, and when you are mentoring.
- However, at the same time, it is still important for you to remain present, and limit the distractions of your own inner chat. Overthinking can lead to self-doubt and can cause you to lose focus on the client’s needs. Become’s Level 1 Diploma in Integrative Coaching can help you develop the skills needed to be an effective coach and sharpen your communication skills.
- Let go of the need of having a perfect coaching session. If you noticed that you might have slipped into mentoring, that’s okay! However, if what the client wants from you is a coaching mindset then revert back to coaching once you realise that the conversation is taking a different turn.
- Don’t forget your intuition, your strengths and skills that you already have. Tap into this to have more genuine coaching conversations with people and don’t overthink what you are doing in the moment.
- Avoid mixing coaching and mentoring in one session as this can get confusing to the client and make you feel less congruent. That however doesn’t mean that you can provide both services, just try not to do both within one session.
Want to Become an Accredited ICF Coach?
That’s great! But please don’t get confused by all the jargon. We are here to help you with your Certification.
Our Diploma in Integrative Coaching is delivered online, flexibly over a number of evenings and weekends. It covers the fundamentals of coaching and also frameworks such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Coaching and Solutions-Focused approaches to coaching.
We help you develop your own framework of working with clients in line with the ICF Competencies and Ethics.
