Coaching vs. Mentoring

I like this differentiation between coaching and mentoring.

But here is the key. When I mentor, I try to share my honest opinions and reasoning, but I know that I have no control over whether the person listens, or whether that advice even applies in their particular circumstances. So I don’t lose any sleep over how this works out for each person.

But with coaching, I know that if the person I’m coaching ends up failing, that’s very much on me. As a coach, I’m signing up to ensure that person is prepared for the tasks at hand, and it’s my reputation on the line as well. So I do stress about whether their particular product strategy is solid, or whether the person is prepared for an upcoming executive review or a board meeting. Just as their manager should. As Bill Campbell said, “You can’t be a good manager without being a good coach.”

Bottom line is that <mark>as a coach I have some real degree of accountability</mark>. As a mentor, I don’t. But again, I consider both helpful.

Coaches have skin in the game. Mentors are advisors. Worthwhile to frame this way and realize that if you agree to coach someone you need to be much more thoughtful about it.