When I took my first coaching course thru CTI in 1999, I wasn’t entirely sure that I wanted to stop being a craftsman and start being a coach. I took the introductary course so that I could find out more about coaching. I reasoned that what ever I learned it would have value — even if all it did was make me a better friend. (As if being a better friend is “just” anything!)

But according to a January 4, 2006 article in the
Globe and Mail, a Canadian national newspaper,

Redesigning your job so you have coaching and mentoring responsibilities will make you extremely valuable … And if you want to ease out of full-time work, employers are likely to be open to retaining you on a consulting or contract basis.

“You need to keep upgrading your skills, so take advantage of continuing education that your employer may offer.”

Both kinds of “helpers” are useful. Knowing what to ask of each is key.

A good mentor has been down your road before and can show you where the pits are.
A good coach might have that information but understands the value and the necessity of your figuring out for yourself if that’s really a pit or maybe a wormhole to a different dimension.

Having your own coach will help you see the difference between coaching and mentoring. And it will help you to learn to ask the really big questions of your staff or employees.

May you find your own best way in the new year.

Kerch