You’re a bright spark, with a burgeoning career in Brand. You’re creative, engaging and think differently, the world is your oyster, right??
Except that thing is in the way.
Imposter syndrome, an unsupportive manager, hiring freezes, micro-aggressions, life changes and challenges, the patriarchy: all barriers that sit awkwardly in the way of career growth (particularly for women) like that passive aggressive little bird Duolingo, taunting you, notification-by-notification.
So, what do you do?
Mentoring and Coaching often get lumped into a generic ‘career development’ box; both are incredibly valuable – done well and in the right situation. I’m a mentor and a qualified Coach and keep both very separate. But what’s the difference?
Mentoring - a quick guide
Mentoring is a great opportunity to learn from those who have gone before, the leaders in your field. I was lucky enough to benefit from mentoring as part of the Women In PR / PRWeek mentoring scheme. At the time, I was pregnant with my second child and alarm bells were ringing about juggling two kids and a senior role on my return to work. I benefitted hugely from the advice I was given by a mentor who I really looked up to. She had learned from her experiences and passed them on to me – setting me up well to (more) confidently go on maternity leave and return to my career when I was ready.
How much does it cost?
Usually, mentoring is a non-financial arrangement.
How long does it take?
It entirely depends on the relationship you build. I have worked with mentors for a short period of time, with a clear objective. Equally: I have mentors who have become long-lasting friends, who I still seek advice from over a coffee or lunch.
How do I find a mentor?
There are mentorship schemes around, but never be afraid to get in touch with someone to ask if they will be a mentor, less formally. I always felt anxious doing this – wanting to make sure my potential mentor felt like it was a good use of their time. From having mentored others since then, however, I can honestly say that I have learnt from every single mentee.
Coaching - a quick guide
Coaching is a very different practice. Whether secured and paid for by the organization you work for, or yourself independently, your Coach is there to hold time and space to listen to you. A Coach will ask you questions and share reflections, but will not provide advice. Coaching is goal-oriented practice, based on the idea that you know what you want and you know how to reach that goal, you just need the time, space and safety to explore those ideas. Coaching conversations aren’t necessarily restricted to your career – in fact many Coaches will encourage you to think more holistically about your life in order to feel more fulfilled overall.
I sought out a Coach when I was getting frustrated – no matter which way I turned, I could only see barriers in my way. My Coach gave me a trusted space, she helped me examine my values and rediscover what brought me joy. While this doesn’t sound directly career-focused, doing the work I did with her helped me shape an entirely new direction for my career…and re-examine where I spent my time and energy. I learned to listen to and trust my own voice more, which is a priceless and long-lasting gift.
How much does it cost?
Coaches charge a fee for their time. Coaching is a career development opportunity that many organisations offer their employees, equally meany employees request it. Usually, if you are self-funding, Coaches charge less.
How long does it take?
It’s up to the Coach and client. I offer a series of six Coaching sessions of between an hour and 90 minutes each – again, depending on what they need.
How do I find a Coach?
Take your time selecting your Coach. The 'biz dev' part of my brain is kicking me right now, but it’s true. You want to work with someone you trust, you might have similar values or experiences. You also want to keep an eye on their accreditation. I’m a member of the International Coaching Federation, which means I sign up to a Code of Conduct. This sounds a bit boring, but there are an awful lot of unqualified Coaches out there and accreditation means your Coach has committed to useful things like confidentiality and continuous development.
So the next time you bang your head against that brick wall / coasting colleague / glass ceiling...have a think about what you want and need, and find a brilliant person who can help you get there.
Emma Duke
Communications Consultant and Coach
Emma is a Communications Consultant and Coach. She worked with brands for over 20 years, helping them engage their employees and external stakeholders to build their reputation and then (more often than we’d all like) supporting them when a crisis hits. Emma trained as a Coach when she realized that her empathy, love of people and own personal experience of the messiness of life combined to make quite a useful mix. She’s also a parent, wild swimmer and fledgling Spanish-learner.
Want to write for the WIB blog? Get in touch with us.
Comments