The Leader's Compass - Newsletter (Coaching and Mentoring Skills)

From Boss to Builder: Coaching and Mentoring That Grows People

Opening Reflection

One of the greatest privileges of leadership is the opportunity to help someone become more than they believed they could be. Titles don't grow people—relationships do. Leaders who take the time to coach and mentor others multiply their influence far beyond task lists and team meetings. They build a legacy.

Coaching and mentoring are not just tools—they are mindsets. Coaching listens. Mentoring shares. Together, they empower. Whether you're leading a team, raising a family, or developing the next generation of leaders, this week is about strengthening your ability to lift others up with clarity, care, and commitment.

What’s the Difference?

• Coaching is a partnership. The coach asks questions, listens deeply, and helps the individual unlock their own solutions.
• Mentoring is a relationship. The mentor shares knowledge, experience, and perspective to guide someone on their journey.

Great leaders know when to coach for growth and when to mentor for wisdom.

5 Coaching and Mentoring Habits Every Leader Should Practice

1. Ask Before You Advise
Avoid rushing into “fix-it” mode. Use powerful questions like:

• What’s your ideal outcome?
• What have you tried so far?
• What’s one step you could take today?
  This builds ownership and self-reliance.

2. Listen More Than You Speak
Hold space for others to process. Silence is a leadership skill. Don’t interrupt it.

3. Share Your Failures, Not Just Successes
Mentoring isn’t about impressing others—it’s about being real. Vulnerability invites trust. Your mistakes are often your most powerful lessons.

4. Set Clear Agreements
Define what success looks like in your coaching or mentoring relationship. Make sure expectations are clear and mutual.

5. Be Consistent, Not Convenient
People don’t need perfect leaders. They need present ones. Small, regular investments of time build trust that compounds over time.

A Quote to Inspire

"People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care." — John C. Maxwell

Practical Action: Start a Mentoring Conversation This Week

Reach out to someone who’s earlier in their journey and offer to meet for coffee or a short call. Ask them:

• What are you working on right now that excites you?
• Is there anything I can do to support your growth this year?

Book Recommendations

To strengthen your coaching and mentoring skills, consider reading:

• The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
• Mentor Leader by Tony Dungy
• Trillion Dollar Coach by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle
• Multipliers by Liz Wiseman

Each of these books explores how leaders can multiply talent, nurture others’ growth, and lead through influence rather than authority.

Final Thought

You don’t need to have all the answers to be a great leader. You just need to show up, ask good questions, and walk alongside someone as they find their own answers. That’s the true heart of a coach. That’s the enduring gift of a mentor.

Keep building others. The world needs more leaders who lift.

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