Learn what coaching and mentoring are, how they differ, and how to use them in your training to enhance your learners' motivation, confidence, and skills.

Blending coaching and mentoring into training creates a dynamic learning environment. Coaching, with its goal-oriented approach, enhances immediate skill development, while mentoring offers long-term career guidance through shared experiences. In my approach, combining the structured questioning of coaching with the holistic advice of mentoring not only facilitates quick learning but also supports ongoing professional growth. This method fosters a rich, supportive space where learners can explore immediate challenges and nurture their careers, ensuring they're equipped for both present tasks and future opportunities.

During my coaching sessions for Oracle ERP (cMRO) and AMOS end-users training, I demonstrated a strong set of coaching skills that proved to be effective. I actively listened to their queries and concerns and provided clear and concise explanations, enabling them to grasp the functionalities of the software. I discovered the importance of tailoring the training approach to suit the diverse learning styles and levels of understanding of the participants. Some learners responded well to visual aids, while others preferred practical demonstrations. Conducting assessments and providing timely feedback allowed me to identify areas requiring further clarification and reinforcement to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the software.

How can you blend coaching and mentoring into your training?

As a trainer, you want to help your learners achieve their goals and improve their performance. But how can you do that effectively and efficiently? One way is to blend coaching and mentoring into your training. Coaching and mentoring are two complementary approaches that can enhance your learners' motivation, confidence, and skills. In this article, you will learn what coaching and mentoring are, how they differ, and how you can use them in your training.

1 What is coaching?

Coaching is a process of facilitating learning and development through goal-oriented conversations and feedback. A coach helps a learner identify their strengths, areas for improvement, and action plans. A coach also supports a learner in overcoming challenges, solving problems, and applying new skills. Coaching can be done before, during, or after a training session, depending on the needs and objectives of the learner and the trainer.

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Mansoor Hameed, Qazi

Process Improvement | Strategic Planning | Digital Document Solutions & Transformation | Innovation, Digitization & Transformation | 3D Printing (AM) | Project Management | Change Management | Technical Expertise
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During my coaching sessions for Oracle ERP (cMRO) and AMOS end-users training, I demonstrated a strong set of coaching skills that proved to be effective. I actively listened to their queries and concerns and provided clear and concise explanations, enabling them to grasp the functionalities of the software. I discovered the importance of tailoring the training approach to suit the diverse learning styles and levels of understanding of the participants. Some learners responded well to visual aids, while others preferred practical demonstrations. Conducting assessments and providing timely feedback allowed me to identify areas requiring further clarification and reinforcement to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the software.

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Amrita R

Vice President, Sr. Training Consultant, Training Specialist, Learning Experience Designer, Instructional Design, Coaching, Client Consultant, Author, Fitness Enthusiast, Mother, Lean2Lead Pune Core Member
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The one thing that I feel gets sidelined in the current learning interventions is time to proficiency getting reduced. The business needs people to be ready for the floor as soon as possible. As a result only key processes get focused on as "need" to know and anything that is "good" to know is parked. Coaching definitely gets sidelined as the need of the hour is process readiness. However embedding micro coaching opportunities in learning interventions can still be implemented if one is a smart, nimble and skilled facilitator. This can create a huge positive impact on the learning journey. After all facilitators do have an ability to influence and get things done.

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Suhashini Pokala

Head of Customer Experience | 15+ Years in Leadership | Product & Retention | Passionate About Elevating Service Standards | Training & Development
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I am a firm believer that whether learning a new talent or improving an existing one, we require all levels of training to master and attain the desired results. Begin by coaching concepts and ideas, then closely monitor and mentor for results and positive actions, and then assist them through facilitation. In other words, learning anything new or growing one's knowledge on a specific subject or talent should be enjoyable and feasible, rather than a fearful or check-list exercise

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2 What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a relationship of guidance and support between a mentor and a mentee. A mentor is someone who has more experience, knowledge, or expertise in a certain field or domain than the mentee. A mentor shares their insights, advice, and resources with the mentee. A mentor also encourages, challenges, and inspires the mentee to grow and achieve their potential. Mentoring can be done in a formal or informal way, and it usually lasts longer than coaching.

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Chris James

I Empower Sales Professionals with Sales Skills, Enabling them to make a True and Lasting Impact on their Sales Career.
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A mentor is someone who helps you grow your skills, make better decisions, and gain new perspectives on your life and career. As a mentee, your mentor will leverage their experience to give you guidance on your career or life now and in the future. Rather than learning through trial and error, a mentor is a person you can look to for direction and a role model to imitate.

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3 How do coaching and mentoring differ?

Coaching and mentoring share some similarities, such as being learner-centered, collaborative, and respectful. But they differ in many ways. Coaching is goal-oriented and structured, while mentoring is more holistic and flexible. Coaching involves asking questions and listening, while mentoring is about sharing information and stories. Coaching focuses on facilitating learning and discovery, while mentoring provides guidance and direction.

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Iain White

Tech Consultant | IT Leader | Mentor | Virtual CTO | Leadership Coach | Project Manager | Scrum Master | IT Strategy | Digital Transformation | IT Governance | Agile | Lean | Theory Of Constraints | SaaS | Brisbane.
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Blending coaching and mentoring into training creates a dynamic learning environment. Coaching, with its goal-oriented approach, enhances immediate skill development, while mentoring offers long-term career guidance through shared experiences. In my approach, combining the structured questioning of coaching with the holistic advice of mentoring not only facilitates quick learning but also supports ongoing professional growth. This method fosters a rich, supportive space where learners can explore immediate challenges and nurture their careers, ensuring they're equipped for both present tasks and future opportunities.

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4 How can you use coaching in your training?

Coaching can be a useful tool for helping your learners set clear and realistic goals for their learning and performance. Through coaching, they can assess their current situation, explore different options and strategies to achieve their goals, create action plans, and monitor their progress. Coaching also encourages learners to review their results and reflect on their learning. Different coaching models and techniques, such as the GROW model, the SMART criteria, the feedback sandwich, or the Socratic method can be used. Additionally, you can use various coaching tools such as worksheets, checklists, or templates to support the process.

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5 How can you use mentoring in your training?

Mentoring can be a beneficial addition to your training, as it allows your learners to gain valuable insights and perspectives from a successful mentor. They can learn from their best practices, tips, and tricks, as well as access relevant resources and networks that can support their learning and career. Mentoring can also help to develop confidence and self-esteem by receiving encouragement and recognition from a mentor, while also expanding their vision and horizons by being exposed to new ideas and opportunities. You can use different mentoring methods and formats, such as one-to-one, group, peer, or reverse mentoring. Additionally, you can use various mentoring activities like shadowing, role-playing, storytelling, or brainstorming.

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6 How can you blend coaching and mentoring in your training?

In order to create a rich and engaging learning experience, you can blend coaching and mentoring into your training by assessing learner needs and preferences, establishing expectations and boundaries for the relationships, providing ongoing support and supervision for coaches and mentors, integrating sessions with training content and activities, and evaluating the impact of coaching and mentoring on learners’ learning and performance. This will enable learners to reach their goals more quickly and effectively.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Chris James

I Empower Sales Professionals with Sales Skills, Enabling them to make a True and Lasting Impact on their Sales Career.
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Seven tips to be a better sales coach: 1 Be curious 2 Listen then adjust 3 Visit the emotional dump if you need to 4 Ask selfless questions 5 Separate out the issues from the noise 6 Share expectations and explore those of others 7 Be discreet

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How can you blend coaching and mentoring into your training?

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1 What is coaching?

2 What is mentoring?

3 How do coaching and mentoring differ?

4 How can you use coaching in your training?

5 How can you use mentoring in your training?

6 How can you blend coaching and mentoring in your training?

7 Here’s what else to consider

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