It is the most frequent question asked by managers. Many are confused with the terms and wonder which one is the best approach for the workplace environment.
Whether it is coaching, mentoring, training, or counselling, they are merely different leadership approaches. All of them advocate one common objective, i.e. improves human performance. Different folks have different strokes. We do not have the best leadership approach, we only have a best-fit leadership approach to the situation you are dealing with.
Find out why sports coaching and professional coaching are different.
The Differences Between Coaching, Mentoring, Training, and Counselling
The differences can be understood as follows:
Coaching | Mentoring | Training | Counselling* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Goal | Improve behavioural performance for personal and professional success. | Support and guide personal or professional growth. | Transfer specific knowledge and skills. | Improve performance that is below standards. |
Results | Goal achievement | Succession | Learning results | Performance improvement |
Approach | Help individuals or groups self discover and take ownership to achieve the desired goal. | Transfer formal and tacit knowledge, skills, best practices, experience, wisdom and mindset. | Transfer specific knowledge and skills. | Confront, correct, and instruct of attitudinal or behavioural change. |
Focused areas |
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Relationships | Collaboration | Advisory | Teaching | Management |
Communication styles |
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Time orientation | Present and future | Present and future | Present | Past, present and future |
Duration | Short and medium | Medium and long | Short | Short |
* Based on workplace non-clinical performance management intervention
Find out what exactly coaching is.
In the workplace, a manager wears different leadership hats at different times and situations. If you are the manager who has mastered both directive and non-directive communication styles, you have an edge to instruct, influence, and inspire your people.