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Being a mentor

The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.

Steven Spielberg, film director

Coaching and mentoring are often used synonymously, which can be confusing. A good mentor will use many of the same skills and techniques as a good coach, however in our view there are some key differences between a coach and a mentor. In this chapter we will explore these differences, why mentoring is an important role for managers and leaders, who you choose to mentor and the role of the mentor.

One of the most prolific writers and researchers in the area of mentoring (and to some extent coaching) is David Clutterbuck. He offers a couple of definitions of a mentor. ...

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