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What Do You Need, A Mentor Or A Coach?

Written by: Harriette Blye

Article Overview: I don't know about you but I have been trying to get answers to this question. I have used these two words loosely and interchangeable. They are coach and mentor. Is there a difference between these words? Confusion again? There are several definitions for the words mentor and coach. A mentor is a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. A coach is to give instruction and advise.

What Do You Need, A Mentor Or A Coach?

I don't know about you but I have been trying to get answers to this question. I have used these two words loosely and interchangeable. They are coach and mentor. Is there a difference between these words? Confusion again? There are several definitions for the words mentor and coach.

A mentor is a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

A coach is to give instruction and advise.

There is not much difference in the meaning of the two words.

This is what I think the difference is between the two as it relate to me. You decide for yourself.

Mentor

In some of my trainings I have often heard the trainer speak about his or her mentor as being someone who is well known and respected. It always intrigued me that they are personally acquainted with this person. I have come to understand when they say their mentor it is in the concept of a person they respect and believe in their teachings. Therefore, I could say Brian Tracy is my mentor. I have not met him or spoken to him but I have purchased many of his CD programs and I have learned valuable information from his teachings that has helped me in my journey through life.

A mentor can tell me what I should do but I am free to choose not to do it. A mentor gives me the information I need for growth and allow me to make mistakes, struggle and learn to find my own direction.

If I choose I can have many mentors, living and dead. Men and women who lived a hundred years ago wrote some of the best books we read today and rely upon.

Coach

If I require a coach I want an individual who is actively involved with me through conversation. My coach would guide my performance and we would have a specific agenda. An example would be: to help me overcome my fear of cold calling and give me specific tasks to work on to alleviate this fear and to hold me accountable for my performance. Another example of using a coach would be: assisting me in reaching my sales goal for the month. My coach and I would discuss how to increase my sales, and set goals. My coach is assessing and monitoring my progress and giving me useful advice and honest feedback, as I need it. My coach is holding me accountable.

Bob Nardelli, CEO, Home Depot says, "I absolutely believe that people, unless coached, never reach their maximum potential."

In my opinion, a mentor can be uninvolved in my life and someone I have not communicated with. My coach is actively involved all the way; I have ongoing communication with this person.

There are some similarities. I must have trust and respect for my mentors and my coach. I need both mentors and a coach in my life.

This is my opinion at this stage in my life. I am a dynamic changing individual, this to can evolve for me. What is your thought?

Honor yourself!

Related Articles
  Business Mentoring Programs
  Mentors Make Magic in Your Life
  Why Small Business Entrepreneurs Need a Mentor
  The Controversy of Coaching – Can It Be a Bad Thing?
  How To Effectively Use Business Mentoring

Article Tags: best books, brian tracy, cd programs, coach, cold calling, confusion, counselor, dead men, definitions, fear, hundred years, journey, men and women, mentor, mentors, struggle
Referred by: http://jaykubassek.com



Related Forum Posts
Re: Business Women Peer Mentoring Spotlight - That is a great idea, David. This is what I had in mind for the Women's section, but it makes sense to post in on the main site. Of course, I'm waiting for some women to step up to the plate and share how they could use some support on taking the next step with their business! If you are a Business Woman reading this, I invite you to consider that this is not displaying weakness in any form. Peer mentoring and Coaching is incredibly valuable. You get to bounce your ideas off others, hear perspectives from outside your own box, and feel the power of others cheering you on. To me, it's wisdom to use all of our available resources to move towards business success. That's why I have my own Coach and my own Mentor Coaching Group. I also offer that to my clients. These are services one usually has to pay for and you could enjoy some of it free right here! So who wants to start? Can you tell I'm excited about the possibilities for you even before you begin? Warmly, Tami
Famous Entrepreneur Question? - First name to come to mind was Sam Walton. After reading his aoutbiography, I feel so connected to him. My one Question would be...(after getting on one knee) "Would You Mentor Me?''
Re: Business Coaching Resources - You're fortunate when you can find a Business Coach who has experience beyond where you've been and even where you are going. When your budget is slim and even after, it's good to have a mentor. Several of various backgrounds are very useful. They can be teachers, professors, pastors, business people, family members, bosses and former bosses. You have to be clear on what you want and what you desire to achieve, be able to convey it as simply as possible. Stop and listen and don't over tax their time. You should always expect results whether from a Business Coach or Mentors. If you're not gtting results, you're either not focused or you need to upgrade the quality of your mentors/coaches. Always surround yourself by people smarter than you.
On Mentors - I've been fortunate that in every endevour I've taken on I have found a Mentor within that niche to guide me and help me learn from my mistakes. I've matured so much faster and more focused just by having someone listen to where i am at in my current day and in having someone to be accountable to. I've been blessed by having mentors naturally come into my life but if I wanted to approach one how would I go about developing the relationship and then asking them to mentor me?
Post subject: Too successful for a mate? - That was an interesting article, Shri! Most of the women I know who continue to be single have some type of self limiting behavior which interferes with them either meeting or attracting the perfect mate for them. They are incredible and talented women, they just haven't set themselves up for relationship success. I know there are men who may be intimidated, but there are also men who aren't. Some men are attracted to smart women! My advice to these women would be to focus on creating the right environment for a relationship to happen. This would be a great time to hire a Life Coach or Relationship Coach. Taking action to get ready for a relationship doesn't mean having to be aggressive in finding a man. It's more subtle. If you don't make room for a man in your life, you might just squeeze out the opportunity before he gets to you. As well, you may be sending off all the wrong signals without realizing it. Seriously, I don't think successful women are off the proverbial "good wife material list". However, if you think yourself off of it then don't be surprised if you fulfill your own prophecy.


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