Business Coaching Defined

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Both coaching and mentoring offer a one-on-one relationship, but that's where the similarity ends. Usually, a mentor is a qualified person who is senior in an organization or industry. This person shares his or her experience and knowledge, and can open doors to opportunities for the mentee that may otherwise have been unavailable. The mentoring relationship tends to be directive, with the mentor telling or showing the mentee what to do and how to do it. While mentoring provides tremendous value to business professionals, coaching provides different benefits. 

A Business Coach doesn't necessarily have to have specific industry or functional experience relevant to the business professional, but rather uses his or her professional skills to help a client achieve his or her goals. The coach serves as a confidential sounding board and creates a safe environment for self-exploration, leading ultimately to self-awareness, self-improvement and self-empowerment.