Connor and Pokora describe the similarities and differences between coaching and mentoring in the workplace by highlighting interchangeable as well as dissimilar principles of coaching and mentoring. Key similarities in coaching and mentoring are both motivate the mentee to use their independence and to not become enabled by others. Autonomy is essential in both relationships. The mentee must take charge of their growth and learning by identifying what it is they want. The mentor/coach may employ different strategies but the end reward is to help the mentee succeed. Both are also built on trust and transparency. This is how the mentoring/coaching relationship is built.
Differences can be identified by length of time. Mentorship tends to be longer term while coaching is often short term. Coaching helps the mentee create tasks to reach certain outcomes whereas with mentorship it is more of a transfer of knowledge and experience to help the mentee achieve workplace successes. Another difference is mentors tend to be a senior level role model at an organization whereas a coach could be an external person, your peer, or someone in a profession unlike yours.
One key principle of effective coaching is maintaining professionalism and realness as a person. A mentee wants to feel they are in a safe and non-judgmental space. A space that demonstrates you are listening, but also a space willing to challenge them when needed. This is essential because if the mentee does not connect with you as a mentor/coach it is highly likely there will not be success in reaching the desired goals. Another is maintaining an ethical practice. Honesty and integrity are foundational. Beginning a mentoring/coaching relationship with open, clear, and concise communication where both the mentee and mentor state their roles, expectations, and limitations will help ensure the mentor/coach is qualified.
On reflecting on the role as mentor a core skill I would apply is encouraging self-challenge. There have been times when some of us have only seen our own point of view, have patterns, find it hard to move, lack self-confidence, compare, and the list could go on and on. Aside from the voice of God the Father, the next most soothing voice is your own. Self-challenge commands your inner self to rise and stand up. It challenges your innate being to re-adjust the frequency going on in your mind. I would paraphrase a statement made by the mentee to help them reshape to see opportunity.