Are you interested in Coaching & Mentoring?

As a professional, I understood the importance of having a mentor, but I was not aware of the importance or benefit of having a a coach until much later in my career. If you desire guidance, support, and encouragement to help you navigate your professional journey, then you need mentoring. Mentoring is relationship based, focuses on your overall growth and is typically open-ended. However, if you want to develop specific skills or achieve specific objectives in your career, while shortening your learning curve, you need a coach. Coaching is typically timebound and results oriented, with clear milestones and emphasis on measurable outcomes.

Passionate about Development: I'm enthusiastic about helping individuals grow and achieve their full potential. Expertise in Guidance: I possess extensive knowledge and experience in coaching and mentoring practices. Committed to Support: I am dedicated to providing valuable support and guidance to individuals on their journey of personal and professional development.

A few years ago, I worked with a client named Sarah who had chronic fatigue and digestive issues due to a busy lifestyle. Initially, I coached her on meal planning and healthy snack options, addressing dietary imbalances and food sensitivities. Over time, our relationship evolved into mentoring. We discussed her long-term health goals and developed a sustainable, balanced lifestyle. Through regular sessions and personalized advice, Sarah improved her diet, regained her energy, and overcame her digestive problems, ultimately feeling well again.

Coaching is a process designed to help individuals achieve their personal and professional goals faster and with more clarity than if they were working on their own. It involves a partnership between the coach and the individual (often referred to as the coachee or client), where the coach provides support, guidance, and encouragement to explore new ideas, identify challenges, and take action towards specific objectives.

Mentorship is focused on developing yourself and landing up in transformational journey and coaching is basically an outcome based training module to work accountability partner.

Coaching and mentoring can result in improved clarity, plan of action, and transformational change in the lives of coachees and mentees. I personally have been the fortunate recipient of the time and exerptise of multiple coaches and mentors. On the flip side, I have also mentored and coached many others.

Coaching and mentoring at the right time is very much important. We as individuals have so much clutter in our minds. So many things to do and achieve. Coaching helps us declutter and also gives us a sense of direction and a constant guidance. A coach helps you in getting clarity, knowledge and confidence is achieving your goals and ambitions.

15 yrs in business has shown me the power of coaching & mentoring. They unlock potential by helping professionals identify strengths & push boundaries. Mentors offer seasoned advice to navigate challenges, while coaches equip individuals with tools for risk management & sharper sales strategies. Through encouragement, both build confidence & resilience - crucial for career growth. These practices also foster a sense of belonging & collaboration within organizations.

Coaching and mentoring both matter because any form of self reflection builds insights into how to improve our performance, reputation and relationships. Whether being mentored or coached both activities ensure a level of commitment to self improvement which is essential for personal growth.

Coaching matters because there is nothing more powerful than self-reflection that leads to personal growth. It can be life changing! Mentoring matters because we are all in community together. Sharing our experiences with others for mentorship allows us to lift each other up and learn from one another.

To become a coach, do your homework and research what coaching path is right for you. Talk to other coaches about their experiences and check references. Research the best coaching training, along with what affiliates will help you build a coaching practice. Start first by receiving coaching yourself. To become a mentor, look for formal or informal opportunities through professional networking organizations. Give of your time and focus on listening and providing support.

Coaches must work on themselves as they are responsible for shaping others' lives. It needs directed efforts and understanding of people. Well, we may start with: Enhance your abilities: Successful coaches and mentors possess excellent communication, listening, and problem-solving abilities. I think it would be beneficial to explore relevant training or certifications in your field. Acquire valuable expertise: Enhance your skills by engaging in hands-on experience or participating in mentoring programmes.

Finding a mentor or a coach can be simpler than you think. They sometimes could be your immediate contacts such as your parents, teachers, bosses, or industry experts. These individuals have navigated similar challenges and can offer valuable guidance to help you achieve greater success. All you need to do is reach out and ask. Bear in mind that some people offer mentoring and coaching as a profession so you might as well need to be ready to pay for the service.

I would look for a coach who has a proven track record of successfully running coaching interventions. Look for accreditation and experience in a field that is similar to your own. The same with a mentor but you will want someone who has a strong network, proven career track record. Both need to commit their time to ensure you reach your goals.

There are so many, it is a hard task. Qualifications, costs, backgrounds to check... it can be overwhelming. I would always recommend to have a "chemistry" call with two or three coaches. Ultimately follow your gut, there will be a reason you pick someone over someone else and you will find out what that is about during the process. In having those initial conversations be curious, be courageous, be authentic. It might help your decision making process by keeping you connected with your values.

A referral from a trusted friend or colleague is a phenomenal way of finding a Coach or Mentor. Using our networks and associations makes the introduction smoother and a warm intro is always better than a cold call especially if you identify as an introvert. For our introvert friends, prospective coaches and mentors are welcoming and seek ways to make the barrier to connection soft and easily accessible. When you don't have a direct connection to a coach or mentor then of course, research based on their credentials, style, and philosophy. Choose the person that aligns with your values and take the step to contact them. Invest in yourself; experiencing some discomfort now pays off to expansive growth and fulfillment later.

To make the most of coaching come prepared for difficult self work. Take ownership, reflect on questions and feedback, and put in the work in between coaching sessions. Set a clear vision and outcomes with your coach and discover how you’re getting in your own way of achieving that vision. Celebrate successes! To make the most of mentoring, the mentor should agree with the mentee on what format will be most impactful for them. Establish a regular meeting rhythm. Utilize active listening, share personal experiences and vulnerabilities, and provide support. Cheer them on!

Being coached or mentored is an investment in yourself. Great results come from the depth of investment you make. And timing is critical. You have to be ready to do the inner work to truly transform. It's the most meaningful work you'll ever do.

In my experience developing a Mentoring Program and now in Coaching, I find the mentoring and coaching partners that have the most rewarding experiences are those that: ??Have a Growth Mindset - The are open to learning, giving feedback, accepting feedback, and figuring out the important parts. ??Establish Trust- Develop a deep sense of Trust with their mentoring or coaching partner. ??Are Consistent- They meet regularly and are prepared with questions, feedback, and results. ??Do the Work- They work their action plans and make adjustments along the way. ??Are Accountable- They hold each other accountable to whatever they agree upon.

A few ways to make the most of mentoring. Set clear goals: Identify specific objectives or areas for improvement that you want to address through coaching or mentoring. Clearly define what success looks like and communicate your goals to your coach or mentor. Be open and receptive: Approach coaching and mentoring with an open mind and a willingness to receive feedback and guidance. Be receptive to new ideas, perspectives, and suggestions for improvement. Take ownership of your development: Actively participate in the coaching or mentoring process by taking responsibility for your own growth and development. Be proactive in seeking opportunities to apply what you've learned and make progress towards your goals.

Establishing well-defined objectives: Clearly articulate your desired outcomes for the partnership. Please prepare for our sessions by bringing specific questions and topics to talk about. Embrace transparency and sincerity: Active engagement and transparent communication are crucial. Please follow the guidance and recommendations given by your coach or mentor. By deeply understanding these aspects, you can harness the power of coaching and mentoring to achieve your goals and unlock your maximum potential successfully.

Contracting, contracting, contracting! The first session is about investing time in building the foundations of coaching/mentoring: set goals, discuss how to give feedback, how often, what's the level of challenge the client wants, understand how they like to be challenged, ask the client how they will know if you are being too challenging, discuss how you will communicate, and anything else that is relevant to the specific context of the coaching/mentoring relationship. If something still comes up... great! Bring it in the coaching/mentoring room, there will be a gift in disguise which will support the work you are doing (I ask myself and the coachee: if this pitfall had a gift for the coaching relationship, what would that be?)

Certainly! Coaching and mentoring are fascinating areas that play crucial roles in personal and professional development. Whether it's enhancing leadership skills, navigating career transitions, or fostering growth mindset, coaching and mentoring offer valuable support and guidance to individuals and teams. If you have any specific questions or topics you'd like to explore further, feel free to ask!