coaching and mentoring

Coaching and mentoring is not a defined field of practice within TA — rather it can fall into one of three fields depending on the nature of the contact with the clients. We define coaching and mentoring as a space where ‘talking aloud is allowed’, and the purpose is for the talker to realise their own potential. The coach or mentor is enquiring, attuned and engaged with the intent to provoke a courageous conversation.

Often a mentor is regarded as someone who has ‘been there’ beforehand. In our experience the terms ‘coach’ and ‘mentor’ are often confused. It is noticeable that the private sector prefers the term ‘coach’, and the not-for-profit sector the term ‘mentor’. It has even been suggested that a mentor is often a volunteer, whilst a coach is paid!

Within TA the context of the coaching or mentoring determines the field of application:

• organisational — if the purpose of the leadership or executive coaching is to transform the organisation or its culture.
• educational — if the purpose is to provide management development or specific personal development — for example relationship coaching; sports coaching.
• counselling — if the purpose is to intervene in a system — for example parent coaching; debt counselling; team coaching; career development.

Coaching and mentoring to realise your potential:

• Rosemary Napper is an experienced coach who provides training in coaching and mentoring
• Annie Witcher is trained in organisational TA and has considerable experience in executive and leadership coaching
• a number of educational and organisational TA trainers provide coaching in Oxford
• we can refer on to other TA trained coaches

Please contact us via this email link