A Mentor's Value Is Experience

Many professionals in the field of empowerment use the terms mentor and coach interchangeably. Regardless of what you call it, the objective is to help the client achieve a goal or solve a problem that she might not have otherwise solved or would not be able to solve readily. Certified coaches tend to rely on whatever methodology or system the certifying organization teaches. These processes tend to be structured in a way that directs the client's internal inquiry toward some sort of internal realization. Mentors, on the other hand, tend to offer the client the gift of their experience and the emotional and technical skills they have acquired from that experience.

My degrees served me best when I launched my first career after university. Once I was embedded in my industry, it was my performance and contribution that determined my qualifications for advancement, not my credentials. Then, several years ago, I became aware that people were seeking me out for my experience, not my credentials.

In my career explorations since then, I have been on both sides of the coaching/mentoring divide, and I have trained in the structured methodology upon which many coaches rely. Lately I have come to realize that mentoring is a more authentic focus for my work because it frees me to lead with my experience rather than a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn't lend itself well to problems that benefit more from wisdom than pre-defined processes.

When successful individuals embark on a career transformation, their journey typically begins with the realization that their current success no longer brings them joy or satisfaction. When their hunger for whatever is missing rises up and demands expression, this realization can be stark. And it is not uncommon that the realization itself is seen by others to be a problem.

Recently I attended a conference of coaches. The objective was to practice delivering an effective coaching session through role-play. A volunteer coach and a rather hesitant member/client entered into the coaching conversation. Following the introductions, the coach asked what the client was interested in discussing in the session. The client made this simple and powerful statement:

"I am strongly considering stopping the marketing of my business I founded sixteen years ago. I may retain my current client base, however, I would not continue with business development." (Pause) "This is the first time I have said this to anyone other than my

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