YOUR BUSINESS _ AUTUMN 2024 Mentor or coach? MENTORING is when a colleague in your industry shares their knowledge, skills and experience with you. They've usually walked a similar path to the one you're currently on, making them well placed to offer valuable inspiration and useful insights. It's an informal, unpaid relationship and it tends to be directive, based on one-to-one discussions to help you progress further in your field. COACHING is a paid relationship, focused on achieving particular goals and delving deeper into specific personal challenges. You set the agenda in regularly scheduled meetings where performance changes are measured. The coach may pose questions and give you space to talk. It's less directive, and offers more opportunities for raising awareness and reflection on self-improvement. 199