What’s the Difference Between a Coach, Mentor and Strategist?

If you’re not completely sure what makes a coach different from a mentor or strategist, I’ve written this blog to help with this common misunderstanding - one that I wasn’t entirely clear on until I researched more into coaching when I started my coaching training. These roles have similarities and that can make it confusing, which can mean ending up working with someone, only to realise a little later on that it’s not quite what you needed.

In this blog, I hope to bring some clarity around the differences so you can find the right kind of support for you. As you read, it might be helpful to reflect on this question:

What kind of support am I looking for?

Why Understanding the Differences Matters

Each of these approaches - coaching, mentoring and strategy serves a different purpose. By spending some time understanding the differences now you’ll hopefully feel more confident in the decision of how you want to move forward.

I also wanted to write this blog as I had my own experience of this a few years ago. I was looking for help to grow my business. I assumed a business coach would give me exactly what I needed: a plan, clear steps and a strategy to follow. But after a few sessions, it became clear that wasn’t the kind of support this coach offered (some business coaches I believe do provide more strategy based elements). But with this coach, I discovered, asked me questions so I could uncover my own answers - not showing or telling me what to do. Another thing to point out here, is that this is the kind of coaching I also do, I won’t create a plan or tell you what to do.

The coach I worked with was excellent, but they weren’t what I needed at that moment. What I really needed was a strategist. That experience taught me an important lesson: before diving in, it’s worth getting clear on the type of support you’re after.

Now, when I work with clients, I always take the time to explain what coaching with me entails so we’re on the same page from the start.

What Does Each Role Offer?

The Role of a Strategist (or Consultant)

A strategist is someone with expertise in a specific area - whether that’s business, marketing, finances, or something else. They’ll work with you to identify gaps or challenges and either create a plan with you or for you.

This can be really helpful if you’re tackling something unfamiliar or don’t have the time to learn about it in detail. For instance, if you’re launching a business and need a social media strategy, a strategist can provide a clear, actionable plan to follow.

Think of a strategist as someone who provides you with a map and directions and passes it over to you to follow.

The Role of a Mentor

A mentor is someone who’s further along in the journey you’re on. For example, if you’re starting out as a writer, a mentor might be someone who’s already published a book.

Unlike a strategist, a mentor doesn’t usually offer formal plans or strategies. Instead, they share their own experiences and insights, offering advice and suggestions based on what worked for them. Mentors can be invaluable when you’re looking for guidance and perspective from someone who’s “been there and done that.”

They’re more like a trusted sounding board, offering encouragement and advice, rather than a structured plan of action.

The Role of a Coach

Coaching is quite different from both mentoring and strategy. The defining feature of coaching is that it’s non-advisory. This means I won’t tell you what to do or share my own experiences, even if I’ve faced something similar.

Why? Because coaching is grounded in the belief that you are the expert on your own life. You already have the answers within you - it’s just a matter of creating the space to uncover them.

As a coach, my role is to ask questions that help you reflect, explore possibilities and gain clarity about what you really want. I may gently challenge assumptions or offer observations, but I’ll always check in with you first. My approach to coaching is about empowering you to reconnect with yourself and make decisions that feel aligned with who you truly are without expectations or external pressures.

It’s worth noting that there are times when gaining external advice or expertise is really valuable - this is where mentoring or strategy might come in. But coaching is ideal when you’re seeking clarity in areas of your life, a deeper trust and understanding of yourself and the confidence in your decisions and way of living.

One last point to add, you may have seen there are coaches who specialise in certain areas for example there are business coaches, health coaches, finance coaches etc so this is also a consideration when deciding the support you want, whether it is something specific or a whole approach to your life, this is more where life coaching comes in.

Final Thoughts

I hope this has helped you better understand the differences between coaching, mentoring and strategy. Each has its own value, and the key is identifying what kind of support feels right for where you are now. If you’ve read this and feel that coaching might be what you’re looking for, I’d be delighted to connect. You can explore my coaching options here or book a call to see if we’re a good fit to work together.

Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you.