Should I get a mentor? A coach? Neither? Both? Let's compare!

Do you have a mentor at your company,?my friend??

?

If so, adding a coach to your “support team” may not be on your radar,

and of course that's okay.

?

But being mentored by a senior executive?

is?very?different from being supported by a coach.

?

That's what Rachelle?(not her name, obvi)?realized last year.

?

We had been working together on a (bi-)weekly basis for over a year

when she was offered a spot in her company's?

executive mentoring program last spring.

For a year, she would be mentored by her company's CMO.

?

Rachelle was thrilled about the opportunity,

and she decided to not continue coaching when our agreement was up.

?

TBH, I was a little disappointed because we had just had a number of amazing sessions (that inspired me as much as her I'd say!),

and I could see both her confidence grow and her career strategy take shape.

?

We ended the engagement on a positive note,

wishing each other all the best.

?

In November, Rachelle emailed me and we had a call shortly after.

Last week, we started working together again –

though she is still being mentored by her CMO

and loves and values the sessions with them.

Why then did she return to coaching?

?

Because mentoring isn't coaching (or vice versa).

And Rachelle realized she wanted?both?to give her the best support

to first reach VP level and ultimately the C-suite.

?

Here are the top five points how the support of mentors and coaches is?

–?and should be!?– different yet complimentary:

?

#1 Perspective?

A mentor has deep knowledge of your company, your role and/or your industry and can best advise you on how to navigate the organization.

A coach has an external viewpoint and can provide fresh insights & ideas.

?

#2 Skills development

Your mentor is usually best suited to help you develop or advance the skills needed in your current or next role while your coach focuses on your personal and professional growth and a broader skills set.

?

#3 Guidance

While both mentors and coaches have valuable guidance to offer, a mentor can serve as your best source of insight to advance your career at your company while a coach can assist you in creating a wider career strategy.

?

#4 Confidentiality

The fact that your mentor is a “company insider” benefits you in many respects, but if you have set your sights on an external position or want to discuss other sensitive issues, a coach is who you really need.

?

#5 Accountability

A mentor usually provides guidance in a less structured way and rarely feels responsible to check on your follow-through, while a coach regards holding you accountable as part of their commitment to your progress.

?

Successful people may have mentors,

and they certainly have coaches.

?

Not because they need?help?with their job,

but because their coach?

• provides independent, unbiased, external support
• assists their growth as a person and a professional
• gives them a sounding board for new ideas
• pushes them on their limiting beliefs and assumptions
• provides accountability so they reach their goals.

If I are interested in adding a coach to your “support team”,

let me know and we'll find a time to chat!

Love, Micha

If you want me to support your journey, there are three ways to work with me:

?

1. ALL-IN: 6 months of 1-on-1 sessions, tailored to your specific needs, and you also have free access to the coaching group
2. GROUP: 6 months in a small group of like-minded female professionals, a combo of working through my 3C Model and hot-seat coaching (registrations now open!)
3. CORPORATE: Coaching “office hours” as well as workshops and bespoke speaking engagements online or in person for your team or event

Book a Consultation Call at bit.ly/CallGoBig