“If you can't run even though you love it, you have to force yourself and follow this program, you'll see it work, there's no point in complaining”. It’s “just do it”. This is an example that can be applied to all subjects. Mentors but also people calling themselves “coaches” will have this approach. Well-known coaches in the world like Tony Robbins will have this approach.
In my opinion, here's how it might work, and here's why it might not work:
How could this work? : you really need a boost on the specific subject of running, everything else in your life is going well and besides you don't want to think about it, it relieves you that someone is helping you tell you what to do. You don't expect miracles from this approach, you just want to be able to put on your sneakers and go running from time to time. You have confidence in yourself and you know that's not the problem so no need to dig. Plus, the person has already explained their method to you and you like it!
Why it might not work: in fact, you can't put on your sneakers because you're afraid of not achieving your goals, of looking like crap while running. You lack motivation because in reality things are not going well at work, your confidence has dropped so much that it subtly affects other aspects of your life. You sense that this race problem isn't just a race problem, but you can't put your finger on it. If you go to see a person with a “mentor” approach, you may hide the wound for a while, but it risks reappearing quite quickly and quite strongly. (This is not a prediction or a wish on my part, just an observation that I was even able to make personally).
Listen to your “radar”, your intuition
Only you can know if you need one or the other approach. Things can also be done in several stages. By trying, you also learn about yourself and what you need. When were we taught to express what we needed? It's not that obvious! But calmly listening to your intuition should help you determine who the right person is for you, no matter their title.
Malicious prevention
Finally, if one day you listened to your instinct, you chose someone but in fact their approach seems to you to lack ethics, you do not feel respected in your choices, your person, you have the impression that 'a part of you is being taken away... you must first stop seeing this person, I then advise talking about it to those around you, and then if you agree, get closer to Milivudes (the government's branch on the fight against sectarian aberrations).
It is with a clear approach that protects the client in particular by being transparent with them, that we avoid this type of deviation and that we also stop being sometimes stigmatized as “charlatans” because a few people have decided to do anything with the trust placed in them. Know that this exists, and that it is not the majority, and that it also exists in regulated professions, and that you have tools available to move away from it.
Enjoy
In my vision of things, the search for your coach or mentor is a happy search, and a happy meeting. So yes, you may go through painful moments, emotions that surface, but at the end of the road, there is a sense of well-being. So, enjoy!
Want to test?
Benefit from a free, no-obligation first 30-minute meeting!
Independent since 2012, I help companies and individuals in 3 areas: communication, copywriting, and coaching. Currently based in Berlin, I co-founded a meeting group between French-speaking coaches and support staff. I offer my tailor-made services in communication and copywriting for small French companies and start-ups, or international companies wishing to establish themselves in France. For individuals, I offer coaching focused on well-being at work and alignment of personality, professional life and personal life: 1-to-1, with group and face-to-face programs, and independent online programs. .
“If you can't run even though you love it, you have to force yourself and follow this program, you'll see it work, there's no point in complaining”. It’s “just do it”. This is an example that can be applied to all subjects. Mentors but also people calling themselves “coaches” will have this approach. Well-known coaches in the world like Tony Robbins will have this approach.
In my opinion, here's how it might work, and here's why it might not work:
How could this work? : you really need a boost on the specific subject of running, everything else in your life is going well and besides you don't want to think about it, it relieves you that someone is helping you tell you what to do. You don't expect miracles from this approach, you just want to be able to put on your sneakers and go running from time to time. You have confidence in yourself and you know that's not the problem so no need to dig. Plus, the person has already explained their method to you and you like it!
Why it might not work: in fact, you can't put on your sneakers because you're afraid of not achieving your goals, of looking like crap while running. You lack motivation because in reality things are not going well at work, your confidence has dropped so much that it subtly affects other aspects of your life. You sense that this race problem isn't just a race problem, but you can't put your finger on it. If you go to see a person with a “mentor” approach, you may hide the wound for a while, but it risks reappearing quite quickly and quite strongly. (This is not a prediction or a wish on my part, just an observation that I was even able to make personally).
Listen to your “radar”, your intuition
Only you can know if you need one or the other approach. Things can also be done in several stages. By trying, you also learn about yourself and what you need. When were we taught to express what we needed? It's not that obvious! But calmly listening to your intuition should help you determine who the right person is for you, no matter their title.
Malicious prevention
Finally, if one day you listened to your instinct, you chose someone but in fact their approach seems to you to lack ethics, you do not feel respected in your choices, your person, you have the impression that 'a part of you is being taken away... you must first stop seeing this person, I then advise talking about it to those around you, and then if you agree, get closer to Milivudes (the government's branch on the fight against sectarian aberrations).
It is with a clear approach that protects the client in particular by being transparent with them, that we avoid this type of deviation and that we also stop being sometimes stigmatized as “charlatans” because a few people have decided to do anything with the trust placed in them. Know that this exists, and that it is not the majority, and that it also exists in regulated professions, and that you have tools available to move away from it.
Enjoy
In my vision of things, the search for your coach or mentor is a happy search, and a happy meeting. So yes, you may go through painful moments, emotions that surface, but at the end of the road, there is a sense of well-being. So, enjoy!
Want to test?
Benefit from a free, no-obligation first 30-minute meeting!
Independent since 2012, I help companies and individuals in 3 areas: communication, copywriting, and coaching. Currently based in Berlin, I co-founded a meeting group between French-speaking coaches and support staff. I offer my tailor-made services in communication and copywriting for small French companies and start-ups, or international companies wishing to establish themselves in France. For individuals, I offer coaching focused on well-being at work and alignment of personality, professional life and personal life: 1-to-1, with group and face-to-face programs, and independent online programs. .
What matters most to me is not : the title of the person (coach or mentor), their diploma, recognition thereof by the ICF or another international organization, the school of thought to which they belong
However, what matters is It is : a transparent approach which places the client at the center, an ethical working method (confidentiality, transparency always, well-defined support/client relationship), an ability to question oneself, to evolve and a curiosity about the practice
“How do I check that I’m speaking to the right person?”
First, ask yourself if you need advice or rather introspection and challenges.
Example of the entrepreneur.
If you are in the process of setting up your business and you say to yourself “I need a coach to accelerate all of this and guide me”, then you are probably actually looking for a mentor! But this mentor will perhaps be called “coach” on his site. However, in its description, you will understand if it is what you are looking for or not.
If you feel stuck in a period of your life and you have a professional or personal goal that you have difficulty achieving, you are floundering, but you are not depressed either (because that is a psychologist that you have to go see), then it is indeed a coach that you are looking for.
Example of hobby, sport, and procrastination
If you're running, and you have a bad method of putting your foot down: if someone corrects you and tells you what to do instead, it will really help you! (A mentor)
If you run, and you love it, but in fact you lack motivation, you can't get started even though you love it: you need something other than an order, an advice. You probably need to dig, understand, be listened to and challenged.
“I want to be told what to do, otherwise it’s useless”
Here I'm actually giving you my opinion, and I'm explaining upfront that other people will disagree with me (maybe you're one of them!) and will say the following:
“If you can't run even though you love it, you have to force yourself and follow this program, you'll see it work, there's no point in complaining”. It’s “just do it”. This is an example that can be applied to all subjects. Mentors but also people calling themselves “coaches” will have this approach. Well-known coaches in the world like Tony Robbins will have this approach.
In my opinion, here's how it might work, and here's why it might not work:
How could this work? : you really need a boost on the specific subject of running, everything else in your life is going well and besides you don't want to think about it, it relieves you that someone is helping you tell you what to do. You don't expect miracles from this approach, you just want to be able to put on your sneakers and go running from time to time. You have confidence in yourself and you know that's not the problem so no need to dig. Plus, the person has already explained their method to you and you like it!
Why it might not work: in fact, you can't put on your sneakers because you're afraid of not achieving your goals, of looking like crap while running. You lack motivation because in reality things are not going well at work, your confidence has dropped so much that it subtly affects other aspects of your life. You sense that this race problem isn't just a race problem, but you can't put your finger on it. If you go to see a person with a “mentor” approach, you may hide the wound for a while, but it risks reappearing quite quickly and quite strongly. (This is not a prediction or a wish on my part, just an observation that I was even able to make personally).
Listen to your “radar”, your intuition
Only you can know if you need one or the other approach. Things can also be done in several stages. By trying, you also learn about yourself and what you need. When were we taught to express what we needed? It's not that obvious! But calmly listening to your intuition should help you determine who the right person is for you, no matter their title.
Malicious prevention
Finally, if one day you listened to your instinct, you chose someone but in fact their approach seems to you to lack ethics, you do not feel respected in your choices, your person, you have the impression that 'a part of you is being taken away... you must first stop seeing this person, I then advise talking about it to those around you, and then if you agree, get closer to Milivudes (the government's branch on the fight against sectarian aberrations).
It is with a clear approach that protects the client in particular by being transparent with them, that we avoid this type of deviation and that we also stop being sometimes stigmatized as “charlatans” because a few people have decided to do anything with the trust placed in them. Know that this exists, and that it is not the majority, and that it also exists in regulated professions, and that you have tools available to move away from it.
Enjoy
In my vision of things, the search for your coach or mentor is a happy search, and a happy meeting. So yes, you may go through painful moments, emotions that surface, but at the end of the road, there is a sense of well-being. So, enjoy!
Want to test?
Benefit from a free, no-obligation first 30-minute meeting!
Independent since 2012, I help companies and individuals in 3 areas: communication, copywriting, and coaching. Currently based in Berlin, I co-founded a meeting group between French-speaking coaches and support staff. I offer my tailor-made services in communication and copywriting for small French companies and start-ups, or international companies wishing to establish themselves in France. For individuals, I offer coaching focused on well-being at work and alignment of personality, professional life and personal life: 1-to-1, with group and face-to-face programs, and independent online programs. .
The coach
The mentor
Accompanied
Advise
Help set goals
Give goals
Practice deep listening: deep and active listening
Practice critical listening: analytical listening
Ask questions to challenge and dig
Quickly express your opinion on the situation
Equal positioning: the customer is the best expert on himself
Slightly higher positioning: the mentor is an expert in a field
Has a holistic approach to the situation
Has a very targeted approach
Example of classic presentation: “I support you to help you take a step forward, make a transformation”.
Example of classic presentation: “Follow my method to grow your business in 6 months”.
Here is my perception of the differences, and some people also do a mixture of the two!
What matters most to me is not : the title of the person (coach or mentor), their diploma, recognition thereof by the ICF or another international organization, the school of thought to which they belong
However, what matters is It is : a transparent approach which places the client at the center, an ethical working method (confidentiality, transparency always, well-defined support/client relationship), an ability to question oneself, to evolve and a curiosity about the practice
“How do I check that I’m speaking to the right person?”
First, ask yourself if you need advice or rather introspection and challenges.
Example of the entrepreneur.
If you are in the process of setting up your business and you say to yourself “I need a coach to accelerate all of this and guide me”, then you are probably actually looking for a mentor! But this mentor will perhaps be called “coach” on his site. However, in its description, you will understand if it is what you are looking for or not.
If you feel stuck in a period of your life and you have a professional or personal goal that you have difficulty achieving, you are floundering, but you are not depressed either (because that is a psychologist that you have to go see), then it is indeed a coach that you are looking for.
Example of hobby, sport, and procrastination
If you're running, and you have a bad method of putting your foot down: if someone corrects you and tells you what to do instead, it will really help you! (A mentor)
If you run, and you love it, but in fact you lack motivation, you can't get started even though you love it: you need something other than an order, an advice. You probably need to dig, understand, be listened to and challenged.
“I want to be told what to do, otherwise it’s useless”
Here I'm actually giving you my opinion, and I'm explaining upfront that other people will disagree with me (maybe you're one of them!) and will say the following:
“If you can't run even though you love it, you have to force yourself and follow this program, you'll see it work, there's no point in complaining”. It’s “just do it”. This is an example that can be applied to all subjects. Mentors but also people calling themselves “coaches” will have this approach. Well-known coaches in the world like Tony Robbins will have this approach.
In my opinion, here's how it might work, and here's why it might not work:
How could this work? : you really need a boost on the specific subject of running, everything else in your life is going well and besides you don't want to think about it, it relieves you that someone is helping you tell you what to do. You don't expect miracles from this approach, you just want to be able to put on your sneakers and go running from time to time. You have confidence in yourself and you know that's not the problem so no need to dig. Plus, the person has already explained their method to you and you like it!
Why it might not work: in fact, you can't put on your sneakers because you're afraid of not achieving your goals, of looking like crap while running. You lack motivation because in reality things are not going well at work, your confidence has dropped so much that it subtly affects other aspects of your life. You sense that this race problem isn't just a race problem, but you can't put your finger on it. If you go to see a person with a “mentor” approach, you may hide the wound for a while, but it risks reappearing quite quickly and quite strongly. (This is not a prediction or a wish on my part, just an observation that I was even able to make personally).
Listen to your “radar”, your intuition
Only you can know if you need one or the other approach. Things can also be done in several stages. By trying, you also learn about yourself and what you need. When were we taught to express what we needed? It's not that obvious! But calmly listening to your intuition should help you determine who the right person is for you, no matter their title.
Malicious prevention
Finally, if one day you listened to your instinct, you chose someone but in fact their approach seems to you to lack ethics, you do not feel respected in your choices, your person, you have the impression that 'a part of you is being taken away... you must first stop seeing this person, I then advise talking about it to those around you, and then if you agree, get closer to Milivudes (the government's branch on the fight against sectarian aberrations).
It is with a clear approach that protects the client in particular by being transparent with them, that we avoid this type of deviation and that we also stop being sometimes stigmatized as “charlatans” because a few people have decided to do anything with the trust placed in them. Know that this exists, and that it is not the majority, and that it also exists in regulated professions, and that you have tools available to move away from it.
Enjoy
In my vision of things, the search for your coach or mentor is a happy search, and a happy meeting. So yes, you may go through painful moments, emotions that surface, but at the end of the road, there is a sense of well-being. So, enjoy!
Want to test?
Benefit from a free, no-obligation first 30-minute meeting!
Independent since 2012, I help companies and individuals in 3 areas: communication, copywriting, and coaching. Currently based in Berlin, I co-founded a meeting group between French-speaking coaches and support staff. I offer my tailor-made services in communication and copywriting for small French companies and start-ups, or international companies wishing to establish themselves in France. For individuals, I offer coaching focused on well-being at work and alignment of personality, professional life and personal life: 1-to-1, with group and face-to-face programs, and independent online programs. .
The coach
The mentor
Accompanied
Advise
Help set goals
Give goals
Practice deep listening: deep and active listening
Practice critical listening: analytical listening
Ask questions to challenge and dig
Quickly express your opinion on the situation
Equal positioning: the customer is the best expert on himself
Slightly higher positioning: the mentor is an expert in a field
Has a holistic approach to the situation
Has a very targeted approach
Example of classic presentation: “I support you to help you take a step forward, make a transformation”.
Example of classic presentation: “Follow my method to grow your business in 6 months”.
Here is my perception of the differences, and some people also do a mixture of the two!
What matters most to me is not : the title of the person (coach or mentor), their diploma, recognition thereof by the ICF or another international organization, the school of thought to which they belong
However, what matters is It is : a transparent approach which places the client at the center, an ethical working method (confidentiality, transparency always, well-defined support/client relationship), an ability to question oneself, to evolve and a curiosity about the practice
“How do I check that I’m speaking to the right person?”
First, ask yourself if you need advice or rather introspection and challenges.
Example of the entrepreneur.
If you are in the process of setting up your business and you say to yourself “I need a coach to accelerate all of this and guide me”, then you are probably actually looking for a mentor! But this mentor will perhaps be called “coach” on his site. However, in its description, you will understand if it is what you are looking for or not.
If you feel stuck in a period of your life and you have a professional or personal goal that you have difficulty achieving, you are floundering, but you are not depressed either (because that is a psychologist that you have to go see), then it is indeed a coach that you are looking for.
Example of hobby, sport, and procrastination
If you're running, and you have a bad method of putting your foot down: if someone corrects you and tells you what to do instead, it will really help you! (A mentor)
If you run, and you love it, but in fact you lack motivation, you can't get started even though you love it: you need something other than an order, an advice. You probably need to dig, understand, be listened to and challenged.
“I want to be told what to do, otherwise it’s useless”
Here I'm actually giving you my opinion, and I'm explaining upfront that other people will disagree with me (maybe you're one of them!) and will say the following:
“If you can't run even though you love it, you have to force yourself and follow this program, you'll see it work, there's no point in complaining”. It’s “just do it”. This is an example that can be applied to all subjects. Mentors but also people calling themselves “coaches” will have this approach. Well-known coaches in the world like Tony Robbins will have this approach.
In my opinion, here's how it might work, and here's why it might not work:
How could this work? : you really need a boost on the specific subject of running, everything else in your life is going well and besides you don't want to think about it, it relieves you that someone is helping you tell you what to do. You don't expect miracles from this approach, you just want to be able to put on your sneakers and go running from time to time. You have confidence in yourself and you know that's not the problem so no need to dig. Plus, the person has already explained their method to you and you like it!
Why it might not work: in fact, you can't put on your sneakers because you're afraid of not achieving your goals, of looking like crap while running. You lack motivation because in reality things are not going well at work, your confidence has dropped so much that it subtly affects other aspects of your life. You sense that this race problem isn't just a race problem, but you can't put your finger on it. If you go to see a person with a “mentor” approach, you may hide the wound for a while, but it risks reappearing quite quickly and quite strongly. (This is not a prediction or a wish on my part, just an observation that I was even able to make personally).
Listen to your “radar”, your intuition
Only you can know if you need one or the other approach. Things can also be done in several stages. By trying, you also learn about yourself and what you need. When were we taught to express what we needed? It's not that obvious! But calmly listening to your intuition should help you determine who the right person is for you, no matter their title.
Malicious prevention
Finally, if one day you listened to your instinct, you chose someone but in fact their approach seems to you to lack ethics, you do not feel respected in your choices, your person, you have the impression that 'a part of you is being taken away... you must first stop seeing this person, I then advise talking about it to those around you, and then if you agree, get closer to Milivudes (the government's branch on the fight against sectarian aberrations).
It is with a clear approach that protects the client in particular by being transparent with them, that we avoid this type of deviation and that we also stop being sometimes stigmatized as “charlatans” because a few people have decided to do anything with the trust placed in them. Know that this exists, and that it is not the majority, and that it also exists in regulated professions, and that you have tools available to move away from it.
Enjoy
In my vision of things, the search for your coach or mentor is a happy search, and a happy meeting. So yes, you may go through painful moments, emotions that surface, but at the end of the road, there is a sense of well-being. So, enjoy!
Want to test?
Benefit from a free, no-obligation first 30-minute meeting!
Independent since 2012, I help companies and individuals in 3 areas: communication, copywriting, and coaching. Currently based in Berlin, I co-founded a meeting group between French-speaking coaches and support staff. I offer my tailor-made services in communication and copywriting for small French companies and start-ups, or international companies wishing to establish themselves in France. For individuals, I offer coaching focused on well-being at work and alignment of personality, professional life and personal life: 1-to-1, with group and face-to-face programs, and independent online programs. .
Coaching is not a regulated profession in Europe, in the sense that everyone can call themselves a “coach” tomorrow if they wish. It’s the same thing, for example, for the title of “psychoanalyst”. By explaining to you, in my opinion, the difference between coach/mentor, I also explain to you what a coach is, and generally how to choose your support.
As a prelude I would like to say that if you have really dark thoughts, that you can no longer get up in the morning, that overall things are really not going well, my article will be of no use to you and I invite you instead to get closer to someone psychologist or psychiatrist (two very different professions, but I won't look into that here).
Profession regulated by the State vs. Private federation
There are associations, federations, which try to bring a standard and ethics to these practices. In addition to these federations, everyone personally has their own feelings. Also someone may have completed coaching training approved by a federation, but in practice not follow the precepts at all, just as a person may not have been trained, and be an excellent coach, very ethics etc.
As for mentoring, a person can call themselves a coach, even though they are mentoring, and they will nevertheless give you exactly what you need: as long as their approach is well explained and the name does not matter (coaching or mentoring). ), you know what you are going towards. This is not, however, “a charlatan”. We cannot blame people for calling themselves a coach as long as the profession is not regulated.
It's a mess ? A little.
Here I am going to give you my personal definition of the difference between coach/mentor, and it turns out that it is quite close to the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Understanding how to choose the right support
Why make the difference? It is not a question of judging these two professions, but of understanding them, in order to bring clarity to the approach of those who seek support, and to actually allow them to make their choices in complete confidence. freedom, knowingly. The name each person gives themselves (coach or mentor) will have little importance when you look at the offers on the market. Instead, look at the proposed approach, and you will understand if it is one or the other.
The coach
The mentor
Accompanied
Advise
Help set goals
Give goals
Practice deep listening: deep and active listening
Practice critical listening: analytical listening
Ask questions to challenge and dig
Quickly express your opinion on the situation
Equal positioning: the customer is the best expert on himself
Slightly higher positioning: the mentor is an expert in a field
Has a holistic approach to the situation
Has a very targeted approach
Example of classic presentation: “I support you to help you take a step forward, make a transformation”.
Example of classic presentation: “Follow my method to grow your business in 6 months”.
Here is my perception of the differences, and some people also do a mixture of the two!
What matters most to me is not : the title of the person (coach or mentor), their diploma, recognition thereof by the ICF or another international organization, the school of thought to which they belong
However, what matters is It is : a transparent approach which places the client at the center, an ethical working method (confidentiality, transparency always, well-defined support/client relationship), an ability to question oneself, to evolve and a curiosity about the practice
“How do I check that I’m speaking to the right person?”
First, ask yourself if you need advice or rather introspection and challenges.
Example of the entrepreneur.
If you are in the process of setting up your business and you say to yourself “I need a coach to accelerate all of this and guide me”, then you are probably actually looking for a mentor! But this mentor will perhaps be called “coach” on his site. However, in its description, you will understand if it is what you are looking for or not.
If you feel stuck in a period of your life and you have a professional or personal goal that you have difficulty achieving, you are floundering, but you are not depressed either (because that is a psychologist that you have to go see), then it is indeed a coach that you are looking for.
Example of hobby, sport, and procrastination
If you're running, and you have a bad method of putting your foot down: if someone corrects you and tells you what to do instead, it will really help you! (A mentor)
If you run, and you love it, but in fact you lack motivation, you can't get started even though you love it: you need something other than an order, an advice. You probably need to dig, understand, be listened to and challenged.
“I want to be told what to do, otherwise it’s useless”
Here I'm actually giving you my opinion, and I'm explaining upfront that other people will disagree with me (maybe you're one of them!) and will say the following:
“If you can't run even though you love it, you have to force yourself and follow this program, you'll see it work, there's no point in complaining”. It’s “just do it”. This is an example that can be applied to all subjects. Mentors but also people calling themselves “coaches” will have this approach. Well-known coaches in the world like Tony Robbins will have this approach.
In my opinion, here's how it might work, and here's why it might not work:
How could this work? : you really need a boost on the specific subject of running, everything else in your life is going well and besides you don't want to think about it, it relieves you that someone is helping you tell you what to do. You don't expect miracles from this approach, you just want to be able to put on your sneakers and go running from time to time. You have confidence in yourself and you know that's not the problem so no need to dig. Plus, the person has already explained their method to you and you like it!
Why it might not work: in fact, you can't put on your sneakers because you're afraid of not achieving your goals, of looking like crap while running. You lack motivation because in reality things are not going well at work, your confidence has dropped so much that it subtly affects other aspects of your life. You sense that this race problem isn't just a race problem, but you can't put your finger on it. If you go to see a person with a “mentor” approach, you may hide the wound for a while, but it risks reappearing quite quickly and quite strongly. (This is not a prediction or a wish on my part, just an observation that I was even able to make personally).
Listen to your “radar”, your intuition
Only you can know if you need one or the other approach. Things can also be done in several stages. By trying, you also learn about yourself and what you need. When were we taught to express what we needed? It's not that obvious! But calmly listening to your intuition should help you determine who the right person is for you, no matter their title.
Malicious prevention
Finally, if one day you listened to your instinct, you chose someone but in fact their approach seems to you to lack ethics, you do not feel respected in your choices, your person, you have the impression that 'a part of you is being taken away... you must first stop seeing this person, I then advise talking about it to those around you, and then if you agree, get closer to Milivudes (the government's branch on the fight against sectarian aberrations).
It is with a clear approach that protects the client in particular by being transparent with them, that we avoid this type of deviation and that we also stop being sometimes stigmatized as “charlatans” because a few people have decided to do anything with the trust placed in them. Know that this exists, and that it is not the majority, and that it also exists in regulated professions, and that you have tools available to move away from it.
Enjoy
In my vision of things, the search for your coach or mentor is a happy search, and a happy meeting. So yes, you may go through painful moments, emotions that surface, but at the end of the road, there is a sense of well-being. So, enjoy!
Want to test?
Benefit from a free, no-obligation first 30-minute meeting!
Independent since 2012, I help companies and individuals in 3 areas: communication, copywriting, and coaching. Currently based in Berlin, I co-founded a meeting group between French-speaking coaches and support staff. I offer my tailor-made services in communication and copywriting for small French companies and start-ups, or international companies wishing to establish themselves in France. For individuals, I offer coaching focused on well-being at work and alignment of personality, professional life and personal life: 1-to-1, with group and face-to-face programs, and independent online programs. .
Coaching is not a regulated profession in Europe, in the sense that everyone can call themselves a “coach” tomorrow if they wish. It’s the same thing, for example, for the title of “psychoanalyst”. By explaining to you, in my opinion, the difference between coach/mentor, I also explain to you what a coach is, and generally how to choose your support.
As a prelude I would like to say that if you have really dark thoughts, that you can no longer get up in the morning, that overall things are really not going well, my article will be of no use to you and I invite you instead to get closer to someone psychologist or psychiatrist (two very different professions, but I won't look into that here).
Profession regulated by the State vs. Private federation
There are associations, federations, which try to bring a standard and ethics to these practices. In addition to these federations, everyone personally has their own feelings. Also someone may have completed coaching training approved by a federation, but in practice not follow the precepts at all, just as a person may not have been trained, and be an excellent coach, very ethics etc.
As for mentoring, a person can call themselves a coach, even though they are mentoring, and they will nevertheless give you exactly what you need: as long as their approach is well explained and the name does not matter (coaching or mentoring). ), you know what you are going towards. This is not, however, “a charlatan”. We cannot blame people for calling themselves a coach as long as the profession is not regulated.
It's a mess ? A little.
Here I am going to give you my personal definition of the difference between coach/mentor, and it turns out that it is quite close to the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Understanding how to choose the right support
Why make the difference? It is not a question of judging these two professions, but of understanding them, in order to bring clarity to the approach of those who seek support, and to actually allow them to make their choices in complete confidence. freedom, knowingly. The name each person gives themselves (coach or mentor) will have little importance when you look at the offers on the market. Instead, look at the proposed approach, and you will understand if it is one or the other.
The coach
The mentor
Accompanied
Advise
Help set goals
Give goals
Practice deep listening: deep and active listening
Practice critical listening: analytical listening
Ask questions to challenge and dig
Quickly express your opinion on the situation
Equal positioning: the customer is the best expert on himself
Slightly higher positioning: the mentor is an expert in a field
Has a holistic approach to the situation
Has a very targeted approach
Example of classic presentation: “I support you to help you take a step forward, make a transformation”.
Example of classic presentation: “Follow my method to grow your business in 6 months”.
Here is my perception of the differences, and some people also do a mixture of the two!
What matters most to me is not : the title of the person (coach or mentor), their diploma, recognition thereof by the ICF or another international organization, the school of thought to which they belong
However, what matters is It is : a transparent approach which places the client at the center, an ethical working method (confidentiality, transparency always, well-defined support/client relationship), an ability to question oneself, to evolve and a curiosity about the practice
“How do I check that I’m speaking to the right person?”
First, ask yourself if you need advice or rather introspection and challenges.
Example of the entrepreneur.
If you are in the process of setting up your business and you say to yourself “I need a coach to accelerate all of this and guide me”, then you are probably actually looking for a mentor! But this mentor will perhaps be called “coach” on his site. However, in its description, you will understand if it is what you are looking for or not.
If you feel stuck in a period of your life and you have a professional or personal goal that you have difficulty achieving, you are floundering, but you are not depressed either (because that is a psychologist that you have to go see), then it is indeed a coach that you are looking for.
Example of hobby, sport, and procrastination
If you're running, and you have a bad method of putting your foot down: if someone corrects you and tells you what to do instead, it will really help you! (A mentor)
If you run, and you love it, but in fact you lack motivation, you can't get started even though you love it: you need something other than an order, an advice. You probably need to dig, understand, be listened to and challenged.
“I want to be told what to do, otherwise it’s useless”
Here I'm actually giving you my opinion, and I'm explaining upfront that other people will disagree with me (maybe you're one of them!) and will say the following:
“If you can't run even though you love it, you have to force yourself and follow this program, you'll see it work, there's no point in complaining”. It’s “just do it”. This is an example that can be applied to all subjects. Mentors but also people calling themselves “coaches” will have this approach. Well-known coaches in the world like Tony Robbins will have this approach.
In my opinion, here's how it might work, and here's why it might not work:
How could this work? : you really need a boost on the specific subject of running, everything else in your life is going well and besides you don't want to think about it, it relieves you that someone is helping you tell you what to do. You don't expect miracles from this approach, you just want to be able to put on your sneakers and go running from time to time. You have confidence in yourself and you know that's not the problem so no need to dig. Plus, the person has already explained their method to you and you like it!
Why it might not work: in fact, you can't put on your sneakers because you're afraid of not achieving your goals, of looking like crap while running. You lack motivation because in reality things are not going well at work, your confidence has dropped so much that it subtly affects other aspects of your life. You sense that this race problem isn't just a race problem, but you can't put your finger on it. If you go to see a person with a “mentor” approach, you may hide the wound for a while, but it risks reappearing quite quickly and quite strongly. (This is not a prediction or a wish on my part, just an observation that I was even able to make personally).
Listen to your “radar”, your intuition
Only you can know if you need one or the other approach. Things can also be done in several stages. By trying, you also learn about yourself and what you need. When were we taught to express what we needed? It's not that obvious! But calmly listening to your intuition should help you determine who the right person is for you, no matter their title.
Malicious prevention
Finally, if one day you listened to your instinct, you chose someone but in fact their approach seems to you to lack ethics, you do not feel respected in your choices, your person, you have the impression that 'a part of you is being taken away... you must first stop seeing this person, I then advise talking about it to those around you, and then if you agree, get closer to Milivudes (the government's branch on the fight against sectarian aberrations).
It is with a clear approach that protects the client in particular by being transparent with them, that we avoid this type of deviation and that we also stop being sometimes stigmatized as “charlatans” because a few people have decided to do anything with the trust placed in them. Know that this exists, and that it is not the majority, and that it also exists in regulated professions, and that you have tools available to move away from it.
Enjoy
In my vision of things, the search for your coach or mentor is a happy search, and a happy meeting. So yes, you may go through painful moments, emotions that surface, but at the end of the road, there is a sense of well-being. So, enjoy!
Want to test?
Benefit from a free, no-obligation first 30-minute meeting!
Independent since 2012, I help companies and individuals in 3 areas: communication, copywriting, and coaching. Currently based in Berlin, I co-founded a meeting group between French-speaking coaches and support staff. I offer my tailor-made services in communication and copywriting for small French companies and start-ups, or international companies wishing to establish themselves in France. For individuals, I offer coaching focused on well-being at work and alignment of personality, professional life and personal life: 1-to-1, with group and face-to-face programs, and independent online programs. .
Cookies are present on this site, this means that certain information is retained to improve the visitor experience.
Functional
Always active
The storage or technical access is strictly necessary for the purpose of legitimate interest of allowing the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of communication on an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The storage or technical access is necessary for the legitimate interest purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
Technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.Technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Absent a subpoena, voluntary compliance by your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this sole purpose cannot generally not be used to identify you.
Marketing
Storage or technical access is necessary to create user profiles in order to send advertisements, or to track the user across a website or across multiple websites with similar marketing purposes.
English (UK) 
Français 