The Foundations of Mentor Coaching
In honor of 2024, new beginnings, and National Mentoring Month, we are excited to kick off the Coaches Cooperative Blog with a few articles exploring the importance of ICF Mentor Coaching for coaches’ personal and professional development.
In this series, we’ll learn about the ins and outs of mentoring within the International Coach Federation (ICF). Let’s begin with a brief exploration of the historical evolution of mentoring in professional settings, break down the differences between ICF coaching and mentoring, and uncover some of the benefits of mentoring.
Mentoring: A Super Brief History, from Antiquity to the Present
I learned something new this week when I was researching this blog post! Did you know that mentoring traces its roots back to Greek mythology? I didn’t remember this from my high school literature class, but here’s a fun fact. The term “mentor” comes from Homer’s “The Odyssey.” In the epic poem, “Mentor” was the trusted and wise advisor to Telemachus, the son of Odysseus!
As Odysseus embarks on his journey to find his father, Mentor supports, offers guidance, and shares his wisdom in service of Homer’s growth. The essence and purpose of mentorship is to support the mentees’ ongoing growth and development by sharing one’s already attained knowledge and wisdom and to provide assistance along the way.
Like “Mentor,’ in “The Odyssey,” who is known for his humility, honesty, and sincere desire for Telemachu’s wellbeing, the modern-day mentor, and in this case, me, the ICF Mentor Coach, aspire to mentor from a place of sincerity and a genuine desire for my mentees and clients’ success as a coach and person.
Historically, mentoring transcended its literary origins and evolved from an informal, apprentice-style relationship into a more structured arrangement during the Industrial Revolution. In the 20th century, modern mentoring expanded its horizons even further when the need for professional guidance and support was recognized across various fields. Modern mentoring describes a relationship where a more experienced person (the mentor) guides and supports a less experienced individual (the mentee) in various fields, including business, education, personal development, and coaching!
The Difference between Coaching and ICF Mentoring
Coaching:
For the sake of brevity, the ICF defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity, and leadership.”
ICF Mentoring:
For more information on the upcoming ICF Coaching Mentor Programs for ACC/PCC/MCC coaches in March 2024, please click here.
The ICF website states that the ICF Mentor Coach will offer “coaching and feedback in a collaborative, appreciative, and dialogued process based on an observed or recorded coaching session to increase the coach’s capability in coaching, in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies.”*
Beyond this, s/he will have “walked in your shoes” and will support your overall development as a coach, elevating your coaching skills and supporting your personal and professional identity.
Just like other professions, coaches need mentors, too! Recognizing the importance of this developmental relationship, the ICF has included mentorship in its ecosystem and has robust demands for coaches seeking certification and recertification.
The following are four reasons why coaches benefit from mentor coaching.
Core Coaching Competency Development: Mentor coaching supports coaches in honing their skills, explicitly aligning with the 8 Core Coaching Competencies as defined by the ICF.
Ethical Practice: Mentor coaching promotes ethical coaching practices and helps coaches adhere to the ethical guidelines and standards set by the International Coach Federation (ICF).
Reflective Practice: Mentor coaching provides a structured framework for coaches’ reflective practice and a deeper understanding of their coaching style. By working with a mentor coach, the coach can set developmental goals and track their growth as a coach.
Continuous Education: Mentor coaching allows coaches to further their education and stay up to date with the industry’s latest coaching trends, tools, and best practices.
In summary, mentor coaching is essential for ICF coaches as it supports their growth, ensures ethical coaching practices, and helps them present themselves authentically and skillfully as supportive guides in their clients’ journeys.
