Coaching vs. Mentoring: My Reflections

I came across a post I shared seven years ago about the difference between coaching and mentoring. Reading it again today, I realize just how relevant this distinction still is — not just in professional spaces, but also in my personal journey and in how I support others.

Coaching ✨

Coaching is about being task-oriented and skill-focused. It often happens in shorter bursts of time, with the coach giving explicit feedback to help someone correct course and grow stronger in a specific area. Coaches are like accountability partners who see where you may have gone wrong and guide you back on track.

When I think about coaching, I think about moments in my life where I helped someone polish a skill, prepare for a presentation, or navigate a specific challenge. It’s about sharpening tools.

Mentoring 🌻

Mentoring is different — it’s progress-focused, intuitive, and long-term. A mentor doesn’t just tell you what went wrong; they walk beside you as you figure it out for yourself. It’s less about tasks and more about developing capabilities and confidence. Mentorship is driven by the mentee’s desire to grow, and the mentor provides wisdom, perspective, and encouragement along the way.

This is where my heart really beats. Mentoring allows me to pour into people — artists, colleagues, or even family — with the lessons I’ve learned through life, and watch them shape their own path with that support.

My Journey 🌟

Looking back, I see that I’ve played both roles:

As a coach, I’ve guided people through specific tasks, teaching skills they needed in the moment. As a mentor, I’ve created space for growth, offering encouragement and perspective that stretches across years, not just days.

Both roles matter. Coaching sharpens skills. Mentoring expands mindset. Together, they help build not just what we do, but who we become.

And today, I am grateful to have walked in both shoes — because each has shaped how I show up as Lady Flava, pouring into others with both structure and soul.