There are many similarities between coaching and mentorship - the most important is that they both concentrate on developing potential.
Both involve support, questioning, development, commitment and encouragement. Mentoring, often provided from within an organisation, provides the opportunity for the junior to follow in the footprints of someone more experienced, traditionally older and wiser.
Consider a sports coach – they could be outsiders who are secured for their ability to bring out the best in a sports team. They arrive twice a week for team practices, and are present when the going gets tough – at the matches, shouting direction from the sidelines and providing motivation at half-time. After the game, they congratulate the team or, if there is a loss, they identify the weak spots. A coach is a facilitator, a supporter and not a friend. They should listen, guide, inspire, motivate, direct and challenge you to ensure personal growth.
Coaching happens through a series of goal-directing conversations that are outcomes-based, with the coach responsible for direction and the client responsible for action.
Coaching will help you to:
* Extend personal development.
* Upgrade your efficiency and effectiveness.
* Enjoy external deliberation and processing of your ideas, conflicts and challenges in an environment of security and trust.
* Stimulate change and a paradigm shift and assistance in thinking differently.
* Help you focus on the solution, rather than the problem at hand.
* Help you focus on action and accountability.
* Elevate your productivity
* Develop and drive a succession plan that outlines where to next for you and your team.
The outcomes of professional coaching can be seen in leaders who show more confidence in their decision-making. In turn the leaders will foster engaged and motivated team players so that there is ultimately benefit not only in personal productivity but also in team productivity as a whole.
* Jenny Handley is a brand, high performance and leadership specialist who offers individual consultations and team workshops. For information on Jenny’s books and courses visit www.jennyhandley.co.za. Follow Jenny on Twitter: Jenny_Handley and Facebook: Jenny Handley Performance Management.
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