The most common question I have been asked is, “How does Coaching differ to Mentoring & Therapy?”
Besides the normal Wikipedia definitions one analogy that comes up a lot is comparing them with learning to ride a bike. If you wanted to learn but couldn’t, the following professions would address it in different ways…
The Counsellor/therapist
They are most interested in what has happened in the past that is acting as a barrier to riding your bike, the experiences that are the underlying root cause and working with you on that and how to deal with it. Many of my clients have therapy support alongside their coaching with me, a perfect combination.
The Mentor
This person has ridden their bike for a long time, they would say, give me your bike and I’ll show you how I ride, tell you how I learned. Watch me and then you try in a similar way.
The Coach
The coach is a different type of partnership, they will be by your side, will highlight and build upon your strengths and weaknesses. The coach works with you to tap into what you know and your resourcefulness, asking you thought-provoking questions and running alongside you, holding you steady. They will encourage and champion you and let go at times when you achieve your momentum. Their job is to get you from where you are now to where you want to be.
Curious about Coaching? – A curation of common questions…
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/curious-coaching-curation-common-questions-lee-hawkins/
What are the benefits & ROI please of coaching? How coaching will improve & develop your talent.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-benefits-roi-please-how-coaching-improve-develop-lee-hawkins/