A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, they will say: we did it ourselves.” — Lao Tzu
If you want your people to thrive, don’t just manage them — develop them. That’s where coaching and mentoring come in.
According to Gallup, employees with strong mentors are twice as engaged as those without. And it makes sense — when people feel supported and guided, they stay longer, contribute more, and grow faster.
So, what’s the difference?
Coaching:
Mentoring:
🔹 Coaching helps people improve where they are now.
🔹 Mentoring helps them grow into where they want to be.
Smart leaders don’t choose one over the other — they use both.
They coach in real time: offering feedback, asking better questions, guiding performance.
And they mentor over time: building trust, offering insight, and helping people see what’s possible.