On Wednesday 2 July 2025 we were delighted to be joined by Jane Wainwright, Executive Coach at Starry-Eyed Pragmatics, as she took us through the difference between coaching and mentoring, and explained how they can help us to thrive and not just survive the challenges we face in mid-life.
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a supportive long-term relationship where an experienced individual (the mentor) shares their knowledge, wisdom and insights to guide the personal and professional development of a less experienced person (the mentee). The focus can be on a variety of things, such as holistic development, career guidance, skill enhancement, network building or personal growth. There are many approaches that can be taken, including relational, guidance-based, sharing experiences, offering advice and acting as a role model. Mentoring is generally a medium to long term relationship, evolving over time as the mentee develops. It is often mentee-driven, with the mentee seeking guidance on their challenges, opportunities and broader development goals.
What is coaching?
Coaching, on the other hand, is facilitating the performance, learning and development of another by partnering in a thought-provoking and creative process that unlocks and inspires personal and professional potential. It reflects a more equal partnership between two people. The focus is often on achieving specific goals or overcoming specific challenges. Coaching is usually performance driven and task-orientated, using powerful questioning, active listening and feedback to help the coachee unlock their own potential and find solutions. It is generally short term because it is tied to the achievement of specific, measurable outcomes, and coaching is typically goal-driven.
What are the challenges and opportunities of mid-life?
Mid-life may present challenges including menopause, ageing or ill-health, teenage children, ageing parents, more responsibility at work and less disposable income. However, it is also a time when you can have the benefit of more experience both at work and in life, a better financial position, more time for yourself as family responsibilities lessen and even the advantage of being able to look back on what you have already achieved.
How can coaching and mentoring help with mid-life challenges?
Mentoring can help through the sharing of experiences by those who have already faced similar challenges. They may be able to recount what helps with health challenges, reassure you that menopause symptoms are normal, pass on tips for dealing with teens, and advise on progression at work. Coaching could support you to find your own solutions, make sure you are thinking of all the approaches you could take, and empower you to embrace new opportunities.
A final word
Whilst coaching and mentoring can be useful tools in your armoury, please bear in mind other support may be needed as well. If you are struggling with health symptoms, please contact your GP, and if you are struggling to cope with the challenges of mid-life, please see the many sources of support available on our mental health hub.