The concepts of mentorship, coaching and training are not new — and are often wrongly used in the corporate world.
Human resource departments make use of mentorship programs, and trainings to increase employee productivity and boost morale.
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The workforce is the lifeblood of any organization. A vast majority of HR professionals believe that quality training can improve employee retention by up to 51%, making it is essential to know the difference between mentorship, coaching and training.
Recruitment firms realize the importance of mentorship programs and corporate trainings in improving the existing workforce of their client, as well as in the recruitment of employees.
Let us breakdown the three processes and highlight the differences among them to help choose one that best serves your needs:
What is Coaching?
ICF® defines coaching as partnering with clients in a creative and thought-provoking process that inspires them to maximize their potential¹.
The coach engages in dialogue with the coachee to set his/her goal. A coach helps remove the obstacles one may face in pursuance of a goal and uncovers their true potential.
A coach doesn’t offer solutions, but encourages the coachee to find solutions himself.
Difference Between Coaching And Teaching
Although both concepts appear to be quite similar they are wrongly used interchangeably. Teaching relies on the influence of the teacher, while coaching relies more on the client or coachee to find solutions and improve.
Why Mentorship Programs For Employees?
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Mentorship programs focus on developing the employee as a whole for long-term success. Managers should encourage a mentor/mentee relationship in the workplace.
Nine out of ten employees feel that they are happier in their job with a career mentor, according to a survey conducted by CNBC.
Difference Between Mentorship And Coaching
Mentorship is a long-term process and works on mutual respect between the mentor and the mentee. Mentorship programs aren’t strictly regimented and may include spending time with the mentee outside the work environment.
Coaching, on the other hand, works well with a formal approach and helps achieve employee goals in the workplace as well as in private life.
Sometimes it is better to hire an external coach as the coachee opens up easier to someone they do not see on a daily basis.
What is Training?
Training comprises formal teaching sessions often conducted by an expert. It plays a vital role in the development and retention of employees in the corporate world.
Training has a specific goal to achieve: Sessions are meant to improve the capabilities, performance, and productivity of employees.
Regular sessions help organizations get the most of their employees, so training programs pay dividends in the long run.
Professional training services are carefully designed to meet the need of the client. They often hire experts in the field to improve training programs — by making them interactive and goal oriented.
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How Training And Coaching Differ
Training and coaching differ in the following ways:
- Training programs are focused on learning new skills, while coaching focuses on development
- Training can help acquire new skills, while a coach promotes critical thinking skills
- One on one coaching is more focused on personal goals of the coachee
Our Advice
Mentorship, coaching, and training hold paramount importance in personal and organizational growth. They can improve employee productivity and help an individual achieve its goals.
Sufficient funds should be allocated to organize specialized trainings and to initiate mentorship programs. Regular employee trainings are known to improve employee efficiency and help the organization achieve its short and long-term goals.