What is the difference between a Coach and a Mentor?
As defined in version 5 of the industries Terminology and Definitions:
Coaches (page 7) work with individuals, teams, or groups in a confidential partnership relationship.
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The Coaching each Coach uses in this partnership relationship creates a thought-provoking, forward-thinking, creative process that inspires each individual to maximise their own potential in an area in which the consumer chooses.
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Although a Coach is trained to work across the full spectrum of the consumer personal and professional life; specific niches of Coaching, for example, corporate Coaching, business Coaching, leadership Coaching, life Coaching, executive Coaching, strengths Coaching, and the list goes on; provides each Coach the opportunity to confirm the type or area of Coaching in which they prefer to work. In all niches, the definition remains the same.
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Coaches develop the skills and learn the tools and techniques to work with consumers in a one-2-one, team, or group relationship.
Mentors (page 35) work with individuals, teams, or groups in a confidential partnership relationship.
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The Mentor is a knowledgeable, experienced and trusted guide or advisor. In Mentoring each Mentor uses their own working knowledge and personally gained experience to create a partnership relationship that is guided, thought-provoking, forward thinking, and creative process that inspires each individual to maximise their own potential in an area in which the consumer chooses or the organisation requires.
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Each Mentor has the knowledge and personally gained experience in a specific niche. Unlike Coaches, Mentors do not work outside their own niche. In all niches, the definition remains the same.
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Mentors use their own knowledge and personally gained experience to work with consumers in a one-2-one, team or group relationship. Mentors may also use the same skills, tools, and techniques a Coach uses.
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Currently, all information provided by and correspondence with the IRCM is in English.
