Do you need a Mentor, Trainer, or Coach?

I love walking in nature. I love coaching. Maybe that explains why I loved the "going for a walk" analogy that @DavidCutterback uses to illustrate the roles that a mentor, trainer, and coach play in life. Let me walk you through it

Think of the times you have gone on a walk with someone. Were they in front of you? Were they behind you? Or were they by your side? At different times in life, depending on the situation and the kind of terrain you are walking through, you want different things. A mentor is one who has walked that path before and knows the way, hence has knowledge of the terrain and leads from in front to help you navigate easily. A teacher or trainer on the other hand also has the relevant expertise, but is someone who is trying to impart and transfer that knowledge or skill and could walk behind you to observe how you are walking and offer tips and points on how you could walk better.

A coach in contrast most often will walk beside you. Think of it as going on a journey of exploration together. The essence of coaching is the process of creating a trusted partnership. Side by side. Step by step. Clarity emerges along the way. As you walk together, taking a look into the internal and the external environment, which helps the person make better decisions.

Keep walking. Like a walking partner often helps me to get out and about even on days I am not feeling like it, my coach is also an accountability partner in the walk of life. Like a cheerleader, supporting me to take the next step forward with positive energy and self-confidence. A coach is often called a clarity and accountability partner.

Sometimes on the walk, you may want to pause and take in all the beauty around you. Or maybe look back and celebrate the journey so far with gratitude and appreciation. This is all part of the coaching partnership. Focusing on the positive, focus on what is working and acknowledging and celebrating a client is an integral part of the process. The coach believes that the client is whole and complete and has all the resources they need to navigate the world. Supporting the client to tap into this resourcefulness is what the partnership thrives on.

And then there is the joy of walking together in silence. A good coach understands the power of silence to create a safe space and help the person they are working with find that perfect spot in the woods. That pause in a conversation where the silence helps to hear. "Hmmm, I never thought of that before” or "I wonder if that could be true..." or “Maybe I could try…”. By knowing when to walk beside you in silence, not saying a word, just being there, fully present often the coach is doing their best work.

Having a person listen to you intently, with no judgment or criticism, offering no advice, just their curiosity to explore a new space with you and enjoy the journey is such an empowering space for self-discovery.

The woods are lovely, deep and dark.

Shall we take a walk together?