My title today are inspired by the movie The Sixth Sense where the young boy says “I see dead people everywhere.” It was the CHALLENGE QUESTION that I threw
out to the Business Before Breakfast group sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Several had never thought that they had had a mentor and people, like myself, see Mentors everywhere. Please read on and make a point, this week, to thank those who act as your Mentors. You may find it is a longer list than you thought
Don’t confuse mentoring with coaching. Mentoring is most often defined as a professional relationship in which an experienced person(the mentor) assists another (the mentee) in developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the less-experienced person’s professional and personal growth.
According to www.management-mentors…the differences are spelled out below.
Coaching is performance driven. The purpose of coaching is to improve the individual’s performance on the job. This involves either enhancing current skills or acquiring new skills. Once the coachee successfully acquires the skills, the coach is no longer needed. Coaching is task oriented. The focus is on concrete issues, such as managing more effectively, speaking more articulately, and learning how to think strategically.
Mentoring is development driven. Its purpose is to develop the individual not only for the current job, but also for the future. Mentoring is relationship oriented. It seeks to provide a safe environment where the mentee shares whatever issues affect his or her professional and personal success. Although specific learning goals or competencies may be used as a basis for creating the relationship, its focus goes beyond these areas to include things, such as work/life balance, self-confidence, self-perception, and how the personal influences the professional.
Mentoring, as defined through todays discussion, means a person, a parent, a role model, set of beliefs, introduction to a new idea, a book, podcast, course that expands the mind and helps to be better tomorrow than we are today. Mentoring helps in both our personal and professional development. Sometimes it is a trusted colleague or friend who can give you honest feedback to an idea or it can take the form of a support or networking group where you hear new ideas and get judgement free support and advice. We discussed Mentoring as providing the Mentee with encouragement and challenging existing beliefs, systems, and opening doors for opportunity. Several noted that a connection with GOD serves as a mentoring relationship. I think any vehicle that leads to enlightenment, confidence, and personal growth qualifies as a mentor relationship.
“A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.” Bob Proctor
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” John Crosby
“A Mentor is someone who helps you see hope inside yourself.” Oprah