Physician Coaching or Mentoring: What’s the Difference?
An earlier version of this article appeared on this site in May, 2023.
As a physician coach, I am often asked to explain the difference between coaching and mentoring. It’s an important question, because both options are designed to get you from one place in your professional life to another. And sometimes a combination of both coaching and mentoring can be helpful. In this article, we’ll go over the differences between the two, and how each can help you to achieve your goals and dreams.
Coaching vs Mentoring: The Core Difference
The main difference is this: A mentor generally acts as an advisor. Since mentors usually have seniority and deeper experience in your area of interest, it is assumed they will know the right path to take. And mentoring typically focuses on your professional life only.
A coach does not give you the answers, but will collaborate with you to help you find and follow your own path. And coaching is not only about work. Coaching may be profession-focused, but it usually also encompasses your personal goals and well-being.
The Coaching Approach: Discovering Your Own Path
Coaching often begins by defining your own unique values— what sets you apart, what matters most to you, and how you envision your ideal life.
In coaching, the focus is on setting meaningful, actionable goals that reflect your personal values and current life circumstances. Using your values as a guide, a coach works with you to create the steps needed to achieve these goals, understanding that the desired outcome may evolve over time.
Unlike mentoring, where the mentor may have a vested interest in your professional trajectory, a coach remains neutral, providing space for you to explore all possibilities.
The coaching process is dynamic, and it often spans several months, or even longer, allowing for personal growth and adaptation. Coaches provide accountability and support through the stages of planning, commitment, and execution.
Why physicians seek coaching
A physician may seek coaching for a variety of reasons. Some examples include:
Finding work-life balance
Career transitions
Retirement planning
As you can see, these are often complex topics that do not have straightforward or defined answers. The process and outcome will be different for each person, depending on their own unique desires, circumstances, and stage of life.
Mentorship: Guidance from Experience
Mentorship, by contrast, tends to have a more defined pathway. If you seek a mentor, you likely have a specific goal in mind. That might be mastering a complex procedure, advancing to a leadership role, or establishing a successful practice. A mentor often has years of experience in your field and can outline the steps to help you avoid common pitfalls.
Mentors are invaluable, especially early in your career. They provide guidance, often within a hierarchical, career-focused relationship. Mentorship is about learning from someone else’s expertise to follow a clear, predetermined path.
How Mentorship Complements Coaching
While coaching and mentoring are distinct modalities, they are not mutually exclusive. Many physicians benefit from both coaching and mentoring, depending on their specific needs and the phase of their professional life. For instance, someone entering into a leadership role often seeks support from both a coach and a mentor. Or a physician dealing with burnout might seek out a mentor to help with specific aspects of practice management while at the same time choosing a coach to help traverse the complex issues that burnout can uncover.
Key Differences Summarized
Coaching is about self-discovery and personal growth. Coaches help you set and achieve your own goals, both personal and professional, by empowering you to take charge of your journey.
Mentorship is about learning from someone with greater experience in your field. A mentor can provide specific advice to help you achieve a well-defined goal in your profession.
Empowering Physicians: The Coaching Experience
Coaching is a process that brings clarity and honors your own values. It’s an exploration of possibilities, and a supportive experience that allows you the space and time to discover your own path.
If you have questions about coaching and how it might work for you, please contact me through the website, or schedule your complimentary 30 minute discovery session.
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