Coaching in the Law Firm Setting
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 03:45PM In the context of our rapidly changing global marketplace it is essential that young lawyers are trained to be flexible, adaptable, and prepared to take responsibility for their own learning and their own continuous personal and professional development. This places new responsibilities on organizations to build professional development environments which encourage individuals to take a more active role in articulating and striving toward selfdetermined learning goals. As a supplement to regularly scheduled training programs, coaching uses a variety of strategies and techniques to support individuals in reaching their own learning objectives as well as the objectives of the organization.
There are some core characteristics that generally distinguish the role of a coach from the role of a mentor in a law firm:
- Coaching is a fairly short-term activity, but mentoring is an ongoing relationship that can last for a long period of time. Coaching generally has a set duration, while mentoring is more long-term and takes a broader view of the person;
- Coaching consists of one-to-one developmental discussions at work, while mentoring can be more informal advice-giving, guidance, or support. Coaching helps individuals move from where they are to where they want to be or need to be—to develop the individual;
- Coaching is generally not performed on the basis that the coach needs to have direct experience in any particular occupational role. On the other hand, a mentor is usually more experienced and qualified than the “mentee.” A coach does not have to be trained as a lawyer to coach a lawyer. Having practiced law does not necessarily qualify any individual to coach other lawyers;
- Coaching revolves around specific developmental areas/issues at work, while mentoring revolves more around developing the mentee professionally. Coaching focuses on improving performance and developing/enhancing individuals skills. Mentoring focuses on career and personal development.
