Understanding Mentoring and Coaching
What is the difference between a mentor, a coach and a buddy?
What is a mentor?
What does it achieve
Focuses on long-term career development, goal setting, and
personal growth through supporting someone's career journey
usually across a medium-long period of time in an industry.
It focuses on career networks, sharing similar experiences, and
providing guidance on longer-term career pathways.
Key activities
Mentors listen, share their insights, and help mentees navigate
their career paths. They connect the mentee with resources
including experiences or networks.
Who Involves a more experienced person providing advice,
guidance, and support to a less experienced team member.
Often from outside of the organisation.
Pros
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Long term focus.
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Personal growth.
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May have infrequent check-ins.z
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Can be as part of a formal programme.
Cons
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Time intensive.
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Can be unstructured.
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Mentee can sometimes have solutions given to them and not think through independently.
What is a coach?
What does it achieve
Interactive process where the coach uses questioning and active listening to help the coachee find their own solutions and 'a-ha’ moments.
It focuses on improving specific skills, performance, and achieving short-term goals.
Key activities
Coaches guide individuals to set clear goals, develop action plans, and stay accountable.
Who
Involves a senior person from within the organisation.
Pros
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Regular check-ins.
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Structured approach.
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Skill improvement.
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Personalised feedback.
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Frequent check-ins.
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Encourages independent thinking and confidence.
Cons
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Short term focus
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Relies on coachee to work problems through for themselves.
What is a buddy?
What does it achieve
A buddy system is a simple and effective way to support new employees as they settle into their roles throughout their first few weeks or months on the job.
Key activities
Answers questions, introducing the new team member to others, and
sharing tips on workplace practices to help them settle in.
Who
Someone similar in age / work experience
(two to five years).
Pros
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Provides immediate support.
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Eases transition into work.
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Peer connection.
Cons
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Limited in ability to support with some issues
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Temporary
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New employee may become over reliant
