Both coaching and mentoring are essential tools for leadership development, yet there is a fundamental difference between the two.
Coaching is a collaborative, solution focussed, results-oriented and systematic process in which a coach facilitates the enhancement of work performance, self-directed learning and personal and professional growth of a coachee. Coaching pushes leaders to set a specific plan for improvement so that they can follow through and actually change their leadership practice and improve their knowledge and skills. It requires leaders to draw their own conclusions and develop solutions. It is a method of deploying artful questioning and reflections to help leaders unlock their full potential to achieve personal and professional success.
It is also one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to develop people in organisations and to sustain positive behavioural changes initiated by training.
Our own Blue Ocean Coaching® method is based on traditional coaching models and insights from applied neuroscience, psychology, behavioural science and other relevant disciplines which makes it incredibly powerful and effective.
Mentoring is more relationship-based rather than performance-based. The mentor shares his or her own personal experiences, insights and knowledge with the mentee. Mentoring is not focused on specific skills and actions to improve them; it is more about overall leadership development.
All our associates and partners have significant leadership experience gained while working in public, private and voluntary sector organisations in the UK and other countries, as well as experience of mentoring leaders at all levels.
Zoryna O’Donnell is our Principal Coach and Mentor. She is qualified coach - member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership accredited for mentoring, a Mentor of the Warwick Business School (WBS) Global Mentoring Programme, Business Mentor of the government’s Help to Grow: Management and a Mentor of the member-only My Mentoring platform of The Institute of Leadership. She is also Brainz 500 Global Honoree 2021 and Brainz CREA Global Honoree 2024.
Please see her Coaching profile here.
“It can be lonely being the boss and management coach Zoryna O’Donnell helped me a great deal in the last few years. It is really helpful to have somebody outside the organisation to go to when things are challenging.”
Clare Griffin MBE
“You know that you've had a great coaching session when you are having to think hard. Zoryna’s skilful coaching techniques helped me to re-evaluate my core values and consider how they are manifested within my professional / personal life. The way that Zoryna sifts through what I say, means that there is no hiding place for any complacency.”
(BY)
“Amazing coach. Insightful, authentic and honest. My coaching sessions have been invaluable to my work. Thank you.”
(CF)
“Zoryna, I really appreciate your help as my mentor for the last two years - it has helped me achieve so much, and I am certain that I am an overcomer, which you have helped me become.”
(LF)
“I've had quite a turbulent nine months since starting my Executive MBA, but my mentor Zoryna has been a great source of advice and person to bounce ideas off. I can't recommend my mentor enough!”
(DC)
“Coaching as part of your leadership development is such a powerful tool. My session earlier with Zoryna O'Donnell helped me to move past some of the internal blocks I had been grappling with. I now have the opportunity to implement new tools as I continue to grow as a leader.”
(BY)
“I have to say that I found your mentorship to be excellent, and whatever I started out wanting out of our relationship 2 years ago, I have gained, albeit differently from what I expected. Different but more appropriate for me I would say, which is testament to your skills as a mentor.”
(MG)
“Yet another very interesting, inspiring and life changing session. Thank you Zoryna O'Donnell.”
(MM)
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been mentored by Zoryna through the Government Help to Grow Programme. Her inspiring and engaging approach made our sessions both enjoyable and valuable. Zoryna generously shared her wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience, displaying kindness, understanding, and excellent communication skills throughout our time together. As a result of Zoryna's mentorship, my technical knowledge and training capabilities have significantly improved. I've learned the importance of incorporating stories and anecdotes in my training sessions, making them more impactful and memorable. Zoryna also provided invaluable insight into securing training contracts and working effectively with associates. I would recommend working with Zoryna, as a trainer, mentor and coach - as she is genuinely awesome!”
(CC)
“Zoryna is an active listener, who will take the lead from myself with regards to the topic of discussion in our monthly meetings. Whilst these are challenging sessions, I always come away feeling lighter and having a clearer direction of travel. Zoryna is always well prepared and will often site our former discussions, making vital links for me to reflect on. I love that I have the opportunity to talk to a highly trained individual who sees the importance of her own on-going professional growth and development. That inspires me and encourages me to read widely and challenge my own thinking. This has often uncovered my own bias and unconscious bias, which I have rationalised and challenged as to the reason why. I feel I am a better leader and person as a result.”
(VP)
“Thank you, Zoryna, for helping me with understanding my own thinking better, and helping me get to solutions and learnings for life. Even one session can be life changing. Really appreciate your approach to coaching.”
(LF)
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