As a follow on from yesterdays post looking at Coaching Vs Mentoring I was asked if I could provide an example to illustrate it.

So, lets take a quick look at both styles.

Situation : A work environment where an employee asks: “Can you help me improve my time management?’’

[A] Mentoring Style

I’d probably TELL them to :

• BLOCK time out in your calendar to PLAN and protect it fiercely

• Prioritise your work and own it

• Focus on the top items

• Track tasks using tools like MS planner or To-do list

• Lock your phone away and try the Pomodoro technique for deep focus.

• etc

[B] Coaching Style

I’d likely ASK them journey questions such as:

• Why do you think you have time management issues? What makes this a true thought?

• Where else in your life do you have them or not have them?

• Who can you think of that does time management well? How do you know this?

• How would you feel if you had no problems with time management?

• How would you act if that was true? What impact would that have on you? On those around you?

• Can you think of options of ways to improve?

• And what else?

• Which of those options do you think is the best?

• What are the next steps you want to take towards that option?

• How will you hold yourself accountable?

• By when?

• How will you know you’ve succeeded?  How will you celebrate? How will you feel?

  Truth be told - in the workplace I tend to use a blend of mentoring and coaching. It's always about the right tool for the right person at the right time.