A '''coach''' is a person who supports and directs another person via encouragement and asking questions.
It differs from a mentor in that a coach rarely offers advice.
Instead, they help the client to find their own solutions, by asking questions that give them insight into their problem.
The major benefit of a personal coach is that they hold their client accountable. So if the client has agreed to a plan of action, their obligation to the coach will help motivate them to complete their plan.
What Is Mentoring?
Mentoring is where a person is given advice and teaching by someone who is more experienced than them. Generally, a mentor has direct experience of their mentee's role.
So, for example, a senior manager might be coached by a former CEO in a similar industry.
However, a personal coach doesn't necessarily need the same work experience as their client. That's because a coach isn't offering advice. Instead they are looking at the thought processes underlying the behaviours. These are independent of the job being done.
Yet it's all a grey area. There are coaches who are operating as mentors and vice versa.
The moral of the story? Know what you want from your coach / mentor and choose accordingly.
The Value of Coaching
Perhaps one of the most useful aspects of coaching is that it offers the chance to focus on what you really want, what's been stopping you from getting there and the steps you need to take to reach your goal.
You have the 100% support of your coach who is your personal cheer-leader when things goes well. They'll help you celebrate the successes you might feel unable to share with your friends and family.
And when things are tough, they're there to remind you of your commitment to your action plan and to help you break through the barriers that are holding you back.
Rarely in life do we get someone's complete support to help us towards a goal that's really important to us. Just imagine how powerful that could be in helping you achieve your goals!
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