Visualise this – in the bustling heart of a leading tech firm, an executive (let’s call her Emily) finds herself at a pivotal crossroads in her career. As she navigates the pressures of a major product launch, her CEO, John, becomes more than a figurehead; he becomes her coach. Their interactions transcend the ordinary dynamics of management, delving deep into reflective conversations that illuminate paths Emily had not yet considered. This isn’t mere guidance or mentoring; it’s the transformative power of coaching in action—a partnership that empowers Emily to raise her level of self-awareness enabling her to discover her own solutions, bringing in a new wave of resilience and innovation within her team.
Being on the last leg of my PCC journey, here I make an attempt to bring in top 5 distinctions Between Coaching and Mentoring
- Purpose and Orientation: Coaching revolves around future-oriented development, focusing on personal or professional growth through introspection and goal-setting. It encourages individuals like Emily to uncover their potential and drive their own progress. In contrast, mentoring leans towards imparting wisdom and advice based on the mentor’s experiences, often looking back to guide forward.
- Nature of Relationship: Coaching thrives on a collaborative, trust-based relationship where the coach facilitates self-discovery and skill enhancement. It’s a dialogue-driven process where individuals are empowered to find their own answers. Mentoring, by contrast, is more hierarchical, with mentors providing guidance and expertise based on their own career trajectories. Its like a mentor will hold your bicycle while you learn to ride. A Coach will ride beside you where you learn yourself.
- Approach to Learning: The coaching approach encourages a reflective and iterative learning process. It prompts individuals to explore their beliefs, behaviours, and challenges, fostering critical thinking and independent problem-solving skills. Mentoring, while supportive, typically focuses on specific skills or knowledge transfer based on the mentor’s expertise.
- Developmental Focus: Coaching is deeply developmental, aiming to enhance self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and leadership capabilities. It equips individuals with the tools to navigate complex challenges and grow both personally and professionally. Mentoring, while also developmental, tends to concentrate more on career advancement within a specific field or industry.
- Organisational Impact: Embracing coaching can catalyse a culture of continuous learning and innovation within an organisation. It empowers individuals to take ownership of their development and fosters a resilient workforce capable of adapting to change and driving organisational success. Mentoring contributes to knowledge transfer and succession planning, preserving institutional knowledge and expertise.
The Strategic Imperative for C-Suite Leaders
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, effective leadership isn’t just about making decisions; it’s about cultivating a culture of growth and resilience. For C-suite leaders, coaching represents a strategic imperative—an investment in unlocking the full potential of their teams and driving sustainable organisational success. By fostering a coaching culture, leaders empower their teams to embrace challenges with confidence, creativity, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Coaching as a Leadership Strategy
Imagine a workplace where every interaction, from the executive suite to the front lines, is infused with the transformative power of coaching. Leaders who embrace coaching not only empower their teams to excel but also foster an environment where innovation thrives and collaboration flourishes. Through thought-provoking questions and active listening, they cultivate a culture where individuals feel valued, heard, and inspired to achieve their highest potential.
To conclude this piece, coaching a I observe, emerges as a thread that connects individual aspirations with strategic vision. It transcends traditional management practices, nurturing meaningful relationships built on trust, respect, and shared growth. As C-suite leaders embrace coaching as a guiding philosophy, they not only shape the future of their organisations but also empower the next generation of leaders to navigate complexity with clarity and purpose. Last but not the least – get a professional certified coach who are either ACC, PCC or MCC. Rest assured, getting a coach is transformational.
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Extending beyond academia; Ankoor has been honoured with the "CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE 2024" award by Passion Vista and recognized as the "MAN OF EXCELLENCE, 2024" by the prestigious Indian Achievers' Award. Additionally, he received the "LEADER 2.0 AWARD, 2023" from adgully and was named a "DIGITAL KAIZEN LEADER by DigiAdCon 2024”, Dr. Dasguupta's contributions to the field of marketing are widely acclaimed, marking him as an inspiring thought leader in his domain. Ankoor is also a member of IMA India’s CMO Forum.
Most recently Dr. Dasguupta has been selected and felicitated with the national level award -Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Inspiration Award 2024 in the category Youth Icon of the Year.
Dr. Dasguupta is a key member of the esteemed International CMO Council and keeps delivering lectures at top Business Schools and also colleges at University of Delhi. As an industry expert, Ankoor has also been a member of the interview panel at MICA for their PGP Group Exercise & Personal Interview PI process for PGDM-C/PGDM selection for two consecutive years. Dr. Dasguupta is also on the Advisory Board of the Marketing Department at ISBR Business School, Bangalore. Recognized by DMA Asia as a marketing Ace, Dr. Dasguupta is a LinkedIn Top Voice, advocate of social impact, driven by kaizen, Ankoor believes in the power of Energy and Energize
Dr. Ankoor is practicing his PCC (Level 2) coaching from the gold standard International Coaching Federation [ICF]. He is a people's person and has worked across functions in senior leadership positions in marketing, advertising, media & communication with a pedigree of 24 years and ongoing exciting journey. Trained from Dale Carnegie in Mentoring to Develop Talent, Ankoor is a marketing practitioner, a coach, a knowledge manager, a team builder, a thought-leader, an avid writer with close to 100 published articles / interviews and is a Thought Leader. Dr.Ankoor wears the hat of a CMO as well. His leisure pursuits are reading, effective listening and percussion. Follow Dr. Ankoor Dasguupta on LinkedIn| https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankoordasguupta/
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