What is the difference between mentoring and coaching?

Mentoring and coaching are both processes that support and encourage learning to happen. The same skills and models, eg, the GROW model, are used by mentors and coaches. Rather than focusing on whether you are providing mentoring, coaching or support, focus on what the other person needs from you. The moral of the story is that it is essential for the learner to determine what their needs are and to ensure that the coach or mentor can supply them with the type and level of service they require, whatever that service is called. As performance coach John Whitmore said: ‘Whether we label it coaching or mentoring, if done well its effectiveness will depend in large measure on the helper’s belief about human potential.’

Is it better if the mentee’s line manager isn’t their mentor?

It is generally believed that it’s better for the mentor to be someone other than the mentee’s line manager for two main reasons: first, it is often better to have an outside perspective, one that is not influenced by day-to-day demands and deadlines. Second, mentees need to feel comfortable in discussing their developmental opportunities, something that many employees would prefer not to do with their direct manager.

I’m a pre-registration tutor, so my role includes mentoring and assessing my trainee. Is this a conflict of interests?

Pre-registration tutors have the challenging role of training and mentoring their trainee and managing and assessing performance and ultimately deciding whether a trainee should be allowed to register. The trainee may not always be able to discuss their challenges or developmental needs with their tutor. Where possible recommend that your preregistration trainee finds a mentor to support them in situations when they prefer not to come to you.

How long should a mentoring arrangement last?

All mentoring relationships should come to a natural end, but there is a danger of dependency where the mentor or mentee delays the ending of a mentoring relationship.

Mentoring is like a popular energy drink — it gives you wings! But one of the hardest things for mentors to do is to let go and let their mentees fly. This can be because the mentor fears that they will miss the satisfaction of making a positive contribution to the development of an individual.

A top tip for a positive ending to a mentoring relationship is to look back over the mentoring relationship together and celebrate success.

Want to know more?

To find out more, visit the mentoring page on the RPS website, www.rpharms.com.