Essay on Coaching Versus Mentoring

Coaching: helping another person to improve awareness, to set and achieve goals in order to improve a particular behavioural performance.

I think it is safe to say that the coach has several roles to perform; with the main objective being to develop the person being coached. This can be achieved by increasing self-confidence, identifying relevant and suitable topics for coaching as well as agreeing the setting of suitable planned tasks to support the learning process.

A coach or mentor can help to give guidance and support as challenges are faced, assisting staff in negotiating challenging situations with increased confidence.

One definition of coaching is “Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their own performance.” (Coaching for performance, Sir John Whitmore 1992). Or to expand on this; Simply defined, coaching is one person guiding another through a process, leading to performance enhancement. The applications can vary, support to achieve a specific project, helping an individual to do better what they already do well, or developing a skill they don't yet possess.

The first coaching model to be critically appraised will be the GROW model. GROW is an acronym for Goals, Reality, Options and Will/Way forward. The GROW model was created by John Whitmore and popularised from his book in 1992, the model proceeds through the four phases, each edging the client closer to their desired goals realistically. Each phase consists with around three or four open questions initiating thought by the client as to what he or she wants and how they will get there. A major advantage of the GROW model is that the questions are fairly simplistic, although they would have to be conducted in a way which followed Whitmore’s techniques they are straight to the point.

I will inspire athletes to demonstrate good character. Sports do not have an influence on one’s character; however, coaches can strongly impact athletes’ character, both negatively and positively. For this reason, I will work to coach in ways that support the growth of athletes’ character and create learning opportunities and situations in which athletes can practice and learn from. As a coach, I will lead by example and demonstrate good character because actions speak louder than words. I will do this by embodying sportsmanship and respecting athletes, opponents, other coaches, and referees. I will also show this to athletes by respecting, caring, and being trustworthy. I will also lead by example by staying

* Coaching This is a process that supports and enables an individual to unlock and maximise their own potential, to develop and improve performance. Coaching helps the individual to learn rather than be taught. Coaching believes the individual is best to take responsibility for own actions and solutions with subtle guidance and prompts. This is an excellent way of improving performance through reflection. Enabling control and development to remain with the individual with the coach helping to unlock own potential. The ‘GROW’ model of coaching (Whitmore, 2009) provides a structured model for the coach. G= Goal setting asks questions to encourage the

Coaching is a useful way to develop people’s skills and abilities, and of boosting performance. It can also help deal with issues and challenges before they become major problems. Coaching typically begins with a personal interview with the employee to assess the situation, review current opportunities and challenges. After the interview, priorities for action are established along with specific desired outcomes. Individuals may also be asked to complete specific action items in a certain period of time that support the achievement of desired goals. Resources may also be provided such as articles, checklists and assessments.

but at the same time a coachee will need a push to reach and achieve

The concept of coaching originated in the context of sport however has been applied within the business environment throughout the past twenty years.

There are a number of definitions to what coaching is; I feel that I can personally relate to the following definition:

Susan M. Heathfield a Human Resource expert states that “the goal of performance coaching is not to make the employee feel badly, or show how much Human Resource professional or supervisor knows. The goal of coaching is to work with the employee to solve performance problems and improve the work of the employee, the team, and the organization.

What is coaching – “The coach works with the clients to achieve a speedy, increased and sustainable effectiveness in their lives and careers through focused learning. The coach’s sole aim is to work with the client to achieve all of the client’s potential-as defined by the client” The Coaching Manual Starr, J 2008.

My experience on being coach may differ from most but the concept is the same as other. It just done in different ways. In the military the term mentoring is in line with the term coach. Confusion in use of the terms mentoring and coaching often arises due to the fact that “one of the functions of a mentor is to coach the protégé or mentee. From the first time I raised my hand and took the oath to serve and defend I was being coached. My experience deal with how to lead in combat, medical training and the belief in one other as a band of brothers. For example when being trained on how to handle a tackle road march we are given scenarios like a land mine goes off how do you react? How do you treat a causality with a chest wound? If the person

Coaching is the art of facilitating another person’s learning, development and performance. Through coaching people are able to find their own solutions, develop their own skills and change their own behaviors and attitudes.