How can I be a better coach or mentor?

Why is coaching and mentoring important for businesses?

Coaches and mentors can provide an important bridge between employees and senior management and can highlight individual areas of improvement, open communication channels and increase employee engagement and motivation.

Highly engaged employees are 75% less likely to leave1, which is not only beneficial for turnover, but also for a company’s bottom line.

What makes a team member a good mentor or coach?

Being a coach or mentor within your organisation is an important and crucial role to play, however it’s not necessarily right for everyone.

Being knowledgeable and capable at your job is a good start, but a good coach and/or mentor requires more soft skills.

These include being:

  • Positive
  • Motivational
  • Supportive
  • Trusting
  • Focused
  • Goal-orientated
  • Observant
  • Respectful
  • Non-judgemental
  • Patient and,
  • Communicative

Team members or employees who go on to be great coaches or mentors, tend to have skills or experience in the following areas:

  • Previous coaching and mentoring experience
  • Professional development as a coach or mentor
  • A business focused brain
  • Empathy and understanding towards others

This is a huge amount to expect one person to have naturally, and this is where coaching and mentoring courses and qualifications can be hugely beneficial.

ILM (The Institute of Leadership & Management) courses are a great place to start, offering courses ranging from level 2 through to level 7.

A brief guide to ILM levels can be found below:

  • Level 2 – Team leader, Team supervisor
  • Level 3 - Junior manager, First-line manager, Supervisor
  • Levels 4/5 – Middle Manager
  • Levels 6/7 - Senior manager, Director of smaller organisations
  • Level 7 - Senior leader, CEO, Director of large divisions

The Academy of  Leadership and Management proudly provides ILM courses from level 3 to level 7, covering topics such as effective coaching and mentoring through to senior level courses for coaching supervisors.

More details on the courses can be found here.

Our ILM and NCFE courses are tailored to develop managers and consultants coaching skills and capability, whether they are in a freelancing or permanent position.

These courses are all delivered through distance learning and teaching activities such as:

  • Online learning
  • Coaching and supervision
  • Reflective practice
  • Practically focused assignments

If you think this sounds like you or one of your employees and would like more information, please contact us info@academylm.co.uk or call us on 0141 611 7640.