In today’s society as you surf the internet you see the terms coaching, mentoring and training all the time.  I can’t help but wonder if people know the difference between the terms or do they believe that they are the same? Most people tend to use the terms coaching, mentoring, and training interchangeably.  However, there are differences.  Mentoring is often thought of as the transfer of wisdom from a wise and trusted teacher.  He or she helps to guide a person’s career, normally to the upper levels of an organization.  However, this perception is starting to change as organizations are now implementing mentoring at all levels.

Training is about teaching or instructing a particular skill or knowledge and is normally given in a formal environment.

Coaching, on the other hand, is about increasing an individual’s knowledge and thought processes with a particular task or process.  It creates a supportive environment that develops critical thinking skills, ideas, and behaviors about a subject.  Although it is closely tied to training, it is more personal and intimate in nature.

The main difference between coaching and training is that training is normally done in real time.  That is, it is performed on the job.  The coach uses real tasks and problems to help the learner increase his or her performance.  While with training, learning is normally performed within the classroom.

Mentoring is more career developing in nature, while training and coaching are more task or process oriented. Also, mentoring relies on the mentor’s specific knowledge and wisdom, while coaching and training relies on facilitation and developmental skills.  Although there are these differences, you could say that the three are synergistic and complementary, rather than mutually exclusive as most people would agree that a good coach trains and mentors, a good trainer coaches and mentors, and a good mentor trains and coaches.  A coach is also a:

• Leader – they set the example and become a role model.
• Facilitator – able to instruct a wide variety of material.
• Team Builder – able to pull people into a unified team.
• Peace Keeper – able to act as a mediator.
• Pot Stirrer – brings controversy out in the open and resolves conflict.
• Devil’s Advocate – able to raise issues for better understanding of the individuals involved.
• Cheerleader – praises people for doing great.
• Counselor – provides intimate feedback

Want to learn more about coaching, mentoring and training? Get your copy of Success in 10 Steps and began to apply the knowledge you will read to your group, team or organization.

Wishing You an Abundance of Success!

April Page

So you want to be a leader? Have you ever read the book, Be-Know-Do?  That book tells you how to be a leader through a combination of lessons from the Army’s battle focused training manual and a series of organizational leadership case studies.

If you are a leader and have built the relationships that are founded on know, like and trust, those around you will grow to respect you. To be such a leader there is the Be, Know, Do Framework of Leadership to guide you.

BE

• A professional
• Loyal to your job, business or organization
• Perform selfless service
• Take personal responsibility

KNOW

• Who you are! Your strengths, weakness of your character, knowledge, and skills.
• The four factors of leadership:  follower, leader, communication and situation.
• People:  human needs, emotions, personality color and how people respond to stress.
• Your Job, Business or Organization (where to go for help, it’s climate and culture and who the leaders are)

DO

• Provide Direction and Instruction (goal setting, problem solving, decision making, planning)
• Implement by communicating, coordinating, supervising and evaluating.
• Motivate:  develop morale, train, coach, mentor and counsel.

Great Leaders develop leaders at all levels that lead with integrity, values and are able to take action and make things happen.

Wishing You an Abundance of Success,

April Page

850.725.0843 anytime