Coaching and Mentoring in Organizations Flashcards

Which statement BEST distinguishes coaching from mentoring in an organizational context?

Answer: Coaching focuses on performance and specific goals; mentoring focuses on career development and guidance from a more experienced person

Coaching targets specific performance or skill goals through structured conversation; mentoring involves a more experienced guide sharing wisdom and supporting broader career development.

In the GROW coaching model, what does the 'O' stand for?

Answer: Options

In the GROW model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will/Way Forward), 'O' stands for Options — exploring possible paths to reach the goal.

A key principle of effective executive coaching is that the coach should:

Answer: Listen actively and ask powerful questions to help the executive discover their own solutions

Effective coaching is coachee-centered: the coach's primary tools are active listening and powerful questions that help the executive generate their own insights and solutions.

What is the PRIMARY role of a mentor in a formal organizational mentoring program?

Answer: To share experience, provide career guidance, and advocate for the mentee's growth

Mentors share their experience and wisdom, open doors, and provide guidance on navigating organizational culture — not to do work or evaluate performance.

Which coaching behavior MOST directly builds the coachee's self-efficacy?

Answer: Acknowledging effort and progress, and reinforcing the coachee's problem-solving capability

Acknowledging progress and capability builds self-efficacy — a person's belief in their ability to succeed — which Bandura's research shows is the strongest predictor of sustained behavior change.

Reverse mentoring programs are PRIMARILY designed to:

Answer: Allow younger or less experienced employees to share knowledge (e.g., digital skills) with senior leaders

Reverse mentoring pairs junior employees with senior leaders to transfer knowledge where the junior employee has expertise — particularly in technology, social media, and emerging trends.