Coach / Mentor / Consultant... when looking for someone to help you push your creative self further, what would you look for?

In my mind a mentor asks guiding questions, a coach is more action-focused - what do these terms mean to you??

Replies11

  • hello @Emma Alexander,
    Getting an excellent coach helps push your creative self-further. I've coached and mentored many leaders where I noticed that 90% of them leave at the end with goals that are totally different than the one they came with. We often think we know what we want and where to go, but the reality is that we are vulnerable to our destructive blind spots such as singular perspective and bias. Coaching is all about raising awareness and ownership, and the skill lies in finding the right balance between challenge and support. Get in touch for a free session 😊happy to demonstrate.
  • From my point of view, it is very useful to learn from the mentor real experience, when we face similar problems or try to choose a pathway, specially if the coach area of expertise is like our own.
  • I would look for a mentor whose work I admire and who has similar life experiences or a similar background so they understand where I'm coming from. There are so many paths to a creative career and each of us struggles with specific things so I think it helps if the other person understands your struggles. There might be people out there whose work you admire but who had access to a completely different path that is not open to you so I'm not sure they would be able to advise you in the same way as someone who overcame the same obstacles you're dealing with.
  • Great question.

    In my experience, a mentor gives you a remote grid reference and says, “ I think you would find something that enriches your life if you travel to this place.... I’d love to see what you’d make of it.... if you have any difficulties getting there, then I’m here to help.”

    A coach might say, “Ok, so you want to go to this place? What would your life look like if you didn’t go? But if you did go, here are some of the transportation timetables you might want to check in order to get there.”

    Please forgive the metaphor, but essentially I think the difference is motivation. A mentor addresses motive. A coach ascribes no judgment to motive, but seeks to give the tools of both self-examination and the structures to achieve.
  • @Emma Alexander Oh I'm so glad you said this, I totally totally understand you!! Which again, if you go back to what you value as a person and as a profession, you'll soon be able to spot out those who just do it for the sales VS the ones that are more concrete and offer a sustainable, excellent service.

    I'll send you a DM with a recommendation!
  • @Greta Beccarello That's a great summary Greta, thanks! I've got to admit I find the explosion of business coaches a bit off-putting and find the term a bit loaded now..? When I have asked questions in other groups in the past I have been hit with a mass of sales DMs, rather than any insightful disucssion or recommendations. I've found people are really looking for this support right now, but it can be tricky to know where to find someome who is the right fit for you.
  • Hey @Emma Alexander
    Personally, it comes down to experiences and shared values. In my opinion, a mentor is just a guiding figure with a similar professional experience who can support by providing recommendations and their own view on the industry, a coach or consultant are actual job figures, a coach is more focused on your growth, and a consultant supports your business directly.

    I have to say I find it all very interesting to investigate and have noticed a rise of business coaches recently!

  • I would look for someone who had a good understanding of exactly how to achieve what I would need to excel.
  • I think that relevant experience that relates to my needs as a mentee are top of my list when sourcing a mentor /coach etc.

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