This focus session addresses some common limitations of traditional mentoring and introduces coaching techniques that foster empathetic listening, curiosity, deeper engagement, and mentee autonomy. Participants will explore how coaching techniques can transform mentoring relationships by empowering mentees to discover their own solutions and growth plans.

The session begins with an overview of some common mentoring pitfalls and the distinctions between coaching and other supportive roles. It introduces key International Coaching Federation competencies, emphasizing “Evoking Awareness” and “Facilitating Client Growth", through interactive, paired activities. Participants will practice powerful questioning strategies such as “What else?” and “What with an S?” to build a curiosity mindset and support mentee-led exploration.

This session is timely and relevant for educators navigating the complexities of modern healthcare education, aiming to build more collaborative, empowering relationships with their mentees.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify Traditional Mentoring Pitfalls. Participants will be able to list and describe at least two pitfalls that arise in traditional mentoring approaches, such as “know-it-all-ism” and the “advice monster,” and explain how these pitfalls can hinder mentee development.
2. Differentiate Between Coaching and Mentoring. Participants will accurately distinguish between coaching and other approaches like mentoring, advising, counseling, and sponsoring by outlining at least two key differences.
3. Apply Coaching Competencies. Participants will demonstrate the application of International Coaching Federation Competencies, specifically Evoking Awareness and Facilitating Client Growth, by participating in guided paired practice activities during the session.
4. Utilize Effective Questioning Techniques. Participants will practice open-ended, curiosity-driven questioning strategies, such as “What else?” and “What with an S” questions, in their mentoring scenarios, reflected through interactive exercises during the session.
5. Develop a Personal Action Plan. Participants will create a personal action plan by the end of the session, identifying at least two initial steps they will take to implement a coaching approach in their mentoring practices within the next three months.