Skip to main content

Difference between coaching, mentoring and Teaching?

Last post 03:18 pm May 30, 2023 by Nate Bell
5 replies
11:42 am April 15, 2023

I am preparing for the PSM II, and studying the scrum competencies in depth. While going through the Coaching, mentoring and teaching, I am unable to get a higher level difference between these three as all of them is guiding the team either by sharing personal experiences or helping them achieving their goals.

What can be the solid differences between being:

  1. Coach
  2. Mentor
  3. Teacher

 


07:34 pm April 16, 2023

@Zia, I suggest you read the individual pages on each topic linked from here: https://www.scrum.org/professional-scrum-competencies and this specific page that differentiates the methods: https://www.scrum.org/resources/comparing-facilitation-coaching-mentoring-and-teaching


09:08 am April 17, 2023

@Zia, the links provided by Eric are great and provide a much better explanation than I could do.

What helped me understand the differences between the stances was to sum it up this way:

A asks B for help to solve a problem:

  1. Coach : A finds the solution him(her)self based on open questions asked by B
  2. Mentor : B shares a similar experience he had and how he solved the issue
  3. Teacher : B gives theorical knowledge adressing the issue

01:40 pm April 28, 2023

Thank you so much both of you

I have read and went through the stuff provided which really helped my the difference between the three concepts I have asked for

Thanks again


02:54 pm April 28, 2023

At the page already suggested by Eric Naiburg there is a section which describes roles of teacher, coach and mentor, and highlights differences between them.

You can also click on the icon and enter the large article about each particular role.

https://www.scrum.org/resources/professional-scrum-competency-developin…

You will also find useful articles about Self managing teams, leadership styles and Facilitation


10:13 am May 30, 2023

There are variations between coaching, mentoring, and teaching. Each method has characteristics that make it superior for particular learning conditions. 

Coaching improves a skill or conduct. Coaches must inspire and guide students based on their needs. This can be done by offering advice, resources, and attainable goals that fit the person's situation. 

Mentoring is more hands-on. Mentors offer advise, expertise, background knowledge, and support. Discussing personal and professional development, giving constructive criticism, and modelling desired behaviour are common. 

Finally, teaching involves knowledge transfer. It involves teaching students. Classrooms, lectures, and tutorials are typical teaching environments. Teachers define and evaluate goals and create a learning environment.


By posting on our forums you are agreeing to our Terms of Use.

Please note that the first and last name from your Scrum.org member profile will be displayed next to any topic or comment you post on the forums. For privacy concerns, we cannot allow you to post email addresses. All user-submitted content on our Forums may be subject to deletion if it is found to be in violation of our Terms of Use. Scrum.org does not endorse user-submitted content or the content of links to any third-party websites.

Terms of Use

Scrum.org may, at its discretion, remove any post that it deems unsuitable for these forums. Unsuitable post content includes, but is not limited to, Scrum.org Professional-level assessment questions and answers, profanity, insults, racism or sexually explicit content. Using our forum as a platform for the marketing and solicitation of products or services is also prohibited. Forum members who post content deemed unsuitable by Scrum.org may have their access revoked at any time, without warning. Scrum.org may, but is not obliged to, monitor submissions.