What’s different: Coaching, mentoring, sponsoring, and managing

There are so many terms! But each tool can be crucial to leveling-up your skillset and career.

Coaching

When someone makes an evaluation on where you are at and suggests paths to take you to the next place. This will take up the most time for the coach. Ask for this when you don’t know what to improve.

Mentoring

When a mentee comes to a more experience person to seek advice and the mentor shares what they did in a similar situation. You will own the agenda for this and should be prepared with questions when seeking a mentoring relationship. This could result in coaching (high touch) or sponsoring (low touch). Ask for this when you want situations on how they handled a similar situation.

Sponsoring

When someone uses their influence to open up an opportunity. Initiatives or programs often have an executive sponsor. This will take up the least time for the sponsor. Ask for this when your opportunities do not align with your desired career path.

Managing

People with reports and this could (and should) include any of the relationships above but also include a formal hierarchical relationship including performance reviews and team communication.

What types of engagements have made an impact on your career? What types of engagements have enabled you to help level others up?

There are many ways to ask for help. Knowing the difference can accelerate your career.