Mentor or coach?

I wonder how often have you heard recently about mentors and coaches. They are similar yet different from each other. Would you like to look deeper into these two?

This is how they are similar to each other:

• Both are buzzwords, but do you really know what is what? 
• Both are working with groups or individuals.
• Both are helping their clients to set and reach goals.
• Both are meeting with the client regularly and may charge you, do it pro-bono or be hired by a company.

So what’s the difference?

Mentors have already been in the shoes of a mentee. They walked the path you’re going through now and his/her task is to suggest you to make the best move, to step in his steps in case the mentor’s experience was successful or to avoid something, if there’s a better way…

What’s the coach doing then? According to the ICF definition, coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Coach is helping the customer to find ITS OWN PERFECT WAY. Coach is creating a safe and trusted environment, highlighting and noticing patterns, contradictions and bringing clients’ attention to it, instigating the research in order to find out what will help the client to reach to it’s goal. 

To summarize, if you’re looking for a blueprint – you’re most probably looking for a mentor. If you’re looking for your unique personal development and unleashing your potential – you’ll need to find a coach to work with.