The difference between Coaching, Counselling, Training and Mentoring
Coaching is all about helping people make progressive changes. The fundamental nature of coaching is: helping a person change in the way they desire and going in the trajectory they want to go, supporting them at every level in becoming who they want to be, and encouraging awareness to empower choice and lead to change. Coaching, counselling, training and mentoring are processes that enable both individual and corporate clients to accomplish their full potential. At synergyicct we structure coaching and mentoring sessions in a simple but effective way, encouraging vision, planning and commitment. Coaching and mentoring share many similarities so it makes sense to outline the common things coaches and mentors do whether the services are offered in a paid (professional) or unpaid (philanthropic) role.
| Learning Method: | Coaching | Mentoring | Counselling |
| The Question: | How? | What? | Why? |
| The Focus: | The present | The future | The past |
| Aim: | Improving skills | Developing and committing to learning goals | Overcoming psychological barriers |
| Objective: | Raising competence | Opening horizons | Building self-understanding |
In coaching, counselling, training and mentoring , we use questioning techniques to facilitate client’s own thought processes in order to identify solutions and actions, rather than takes a wholly directive approach. We fast-track the exploration of needs, motivations, aspirations, competences and thought processes to assist the individual in making real, lasting change. The main aim of the whole process is to encourage the client in setting proper goals and methods of evaluating progress in relation to these goals. The whole process also encourage a commitment to action and the development of lasting personal growth & change.
We ensure that clients develop personal competencies and do not develop unhealthy dependencies on the coaching or mentoring relationship. Manage the relationship to ensure the client receives the appropriate level of service and that curriculum are neither too short, nor too long.
At the end we all evaluate the outcomes of the process, using objective measures wherever possible to ensure the relationship is successful and the client is achieving their personal goals. Encourage clients to continually improve competencies and to develop new developmental alliances where necessary to achieve their goals.