What’s the Difference Between Mentor Coaching and Coaching Supervision?

Recently I have had the question on mentor coaching and coaching supervision. Subsequently, in this post I wanted to elaborate on the difference between mentor coaching and coaching supervision.

Also – please note, as I am a currently an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and also an ICF Mentor Coach, I am going to be referring to these from the ICF space as that is whom I align with. Subsequently, in this post I will discuss –

• What is Mentor Coaching?
• What is Coaching Supervision?
• The Difference Between Mentor Coaching and Coaching Supervision.

What is Mentor Coaching?

According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Mentor Coaching –

“‭consists of coaching and feedback in a collaborative, appreciative and dialogued process based on an observed or recorded coaching session to increase the coach’s capability in coaching, in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies.”

The purpose of mentor coaching is to provide –

“…professional assistance in achieving and demonstrating the levels of coaching competency and capability demanded by the desired credential level.”

Before choosing a mentor coach for an ICF credential, you may like to read more about Mentor Coaching on the ICF website here and also check the ICF’s list of Mentor Coach’s on their website here.

What is Coaching Supervision?

The ICF is very clear on Coaching Supervision and it states that it is –

“…a collaborative learning practice to continually build the capacity of the coach through reflective dialogue for the benefit of both coaches and clients.

Coaching Supervision focuses on the development of the coach’s capacity through offering a richer and broader opportunity for support and development. Coaching Supervision creates a safe environment for the coach to share their successes and failures in becoming masterful in the way they work with their clients.”

You can read more about what the ICF says about Coaching Supervision here on their website. Also, there is a nice one-pager here.

So, What’s the Difference Between Mentor Coaching and Coaching Supervision?

As I was writing this, I was identifying my own differences and then I found what the ICF wrote here. The difference between Mentor Coaching and Coaching Supervision is that –

“A Mentor Coach primarily supports a coach in achieving the levels of coaching competency and building skills in the Core Competencies. Coaching Supervision offers a coach a richer and broader opportunity for support and development. In Coaching Supervision, there may be a greater focus on reflective practice and the being of the coach. Coaching Supervision provides a wide-angled lens to review one’s coaching practice with a fellow practitioner.”

Over to You…

I hope this has given you some insight in to Mentor Coaching and Coaching Supervision. If you have any questions, please let me know. Also – please make sure you refer back to the ICF website for more information. Please ask any further questions below 🙂

We also have the Coach’s Business Starter Toolkit as well, that helps coach’s develop their own systems and processes in their coaching business. Details are here.