For example, I once as sales leader received an award for mentoring – the Nike Award. My team awarded it to me. The “just go do it” award. I would say to them many times – “just go do what I do” or “here let me show you”. Oh, how young and naive I was.
My take on mentoring now is..
If I believe, through questioning and observation, that someone does not have the skills, the understanding or the process to do something; then I will instruct and/or demonstrate how to them.
From this, I will confirm if they know understand and have the skill set to perform the task.
My take on coaching..
It’s not telling/yelling/sharing/educating/instructing.
Coaching is the most powerful tool you can have as a leader because if done correctly it will create sustainable outcomes.
If I believe, through questioning and observation, that someone has some understanding, skills and/or process inclination then I will conduct coaching.