Business Mentor V Business Coach - What's the difference ?

After running the business for 15 years with some minor interventions from Growth Hub and an accountant/business advisor to not much effect, we started to see a professional business mentor who we paid £1,000 per month. Initially we considered this to be expensive. However, it proved to be one the best investments we ever made.

He helped us change our lives. We re-structured, brought in the right people, got rid of the wrong ones and ran the business in a more commercial way, resulting in more time freed up, more profit and an increased income.

With his help we eventually sold the business in 2017.

He brought his experience, guidance and his network to every meeting. This is the reason I wanted to become a mentor.

Once I had been through this process I realised I had the experience and ability to do this for others. I used to be confused around the difference between mentors, coaches & consultants.

There is a grey area and some cross over, however here are my simple definitions :

Mentor – trusted, supportive and sometimes critical friend. Bringing real life experience of travelling a similar path. Guiding, supporting and holding business owners accountable. The Mentee takes responsibility for the outcome. They have to do the work. The personal development of the mentee is their responsibility along with direct guidance from the mentor.

Coach – Asking the searching questions, listening to the answers. These coaching conversations lead the coachee to think and act for themselves. Pure coaching includes no direct advice from the coach. There is a strong emphasis on personal development – examples and tools can be used to facilitate the thinking i.e. wheel of life,

Consultant – this is the implementation side. The Consultant can develop strategy but also take responsibility for the delivery. The focus is more on the problem than the person.

My style is mainly Mentoring-based but I do use some Coaching questions along with tools & techniques.