In 30 seconds
- Mentors share experience; coaches mainly ask questions.
- Works best as a regular, two-way relationship.
- Pairing and mobbing are mentoring in action.
Mentoring vs coaching
| Mentoring | Coaching | |
|---|---|---|
| Main tool | Sharing experience | Asking questions |
| Expertise needed in topic | Yes | Not necessarily |
| Typical focus | Skills and career | Goals and thinking |
A good mentoring relationship
- Agree goals and how often to meet
- Mentee drives the agenda
- Mentor shares stories and options, not orders
- Review progress every few months
Everyday mentoring
In agile teams, much mentoring happens through pair programming, mob programming and code reviews. Rotating pairs spreads expertise quickly.
Myth vs reality
Myth · Mentoring is only for juniors.
Reality · Seniors benefit from mentors too, and reverse mentoring works.
Myth · Mentors should have all the answers.
Reality · They share experience, including mistakes.
Myth · Formal programmes are required.
Reality · Informal mentoring often works just as well.
FAQ
How often should mentors meet mentees?
Every two to four weeks is common.
Can a manager be a mentor?
Yes, though a mentor outside the reporting line can feel safer.
What's reverse mentoring?
A junior person mentoring a senior one, often on new skills.