A coach doesn’t necessarily need to have experience of the industry you work in, they’re there to listen, ask questions and hold you accountable for the actions you decide to take.
A mentor is more likely to give you advice, share their experience and make suggestions based on their own experience, knowledge and skills.
Mentors can be internal or external. Some organisations have an internal mentoring system where management trainees or selected fast-track employees are assigned to a senior member of staff to guide their career.
Sometimes people find their own mentors outside the organisation. If you’ve just been promoted into a specific role, finding someone – perhaps through your professional body – who is willing to mentor you is invaluable. You’ll have the voice of experience to consult when you’ve got decisions to make that you may be concerned about.
Many independent business owners work with a mentor – often another business owner who has already navigated the waters they’re currently in.
Universities often offer mentoring schemes where students are paired with an experienced business person to help prepare them for the world of work. They’ll get advice on preparing CVs, interviews, finding jobs – or sometimes work experience.
Mentoring works at every level. A mentor will help:
- If you need a sounding board to bounce your ideas off before revealing them to others
- If you’ve got a tough decision to make about someone in your team
- If you’re not sure where to go next
- If a situation is frustrating you and you need to let off steam – and find a way forwards
- If you want some guidance on your career plan
A mentor has – to use the cliché – been there, done it, got the T-shirt! Sharing their experience will help you to avoid some of the pitfalls and spot the opportunities quicker.
You can find out more about our mentoring service here or call me on 0208 220 3114 for an exploratory chat.