Coaching and mentoring can both support your development, but they work in different ways.

A coach listens, asks questions and helps you explore your goals, challenges and options. Rather than giving you answers or telling you what to do, they help you reach your own conclusions and decide what action to take.

Mentoring may be more suitable if you are looking for:

• Guidance based on someone else’s experience
• Career or sector insight
• Advice about navigating a role or situation
• Support from someone with relevant professional or lived experience

Find out about Manchester Gold mentoring

Coaching does not always need to be formal. Managers and colleagues can use coaching skills in everyday conversations by listening carefully, asking open questions and giving others space to think.

Instead of moving straight to advice or instructions, this approach helps people find their own solutions. It can build confidence, encourage ownership and support better decisions.

Coaching skills are particularly useful for managers and leaders supporting colleagues through challenges, change or uncertainty.

You can use coaching techniques on your own to work through a challenge, decision or next step.

Questions, reflection and goal-setting tools can help you:

• Clarify what you want to achieve
• Look at a situation from different perspectives
• Challenge your assumptions
• Consider your options
• Decide what to do next

Our self-directed resources provide practical tools that you can use at your own pace.

One-to-one coaching gives you dedicated time to explore a goal, challenge or decision with a trained coach.

It provides:

• Confidential and structured conversations
• A focus on the issues that matter to you
• Supportive challenge from a neutral person
• Time to reflect and explore different options
• Support to decide what action to take

A coaching relationship usually includes six sessions. It begins with a chemistry meeting where you and the coach discuss what you want to achieve and how you will work together.

The University is an institutional member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). Your coach will explain the ethical standards that apply to your coaching relationship.

Most colleagues access one-to-one coaching through the University's internal coaching pool. For colleagues in senior leadership roles, external executive coaching may also be available where local funding is approved.

Our internal coaching pool consists of trained University colleagues who provide coaching alongside their main role. All colleagues can apply for an internal coach. We aim to match you with a suitable coach based on your preferences and development needs, subject to coach availability.

Our coaching pool includes colleagues trained up to executive coaching level, making coaching available to staff at all career stages, including senior leaders.

Apply for an internal coach

Executive coaching may be suitable for colleagues in senior leadership roles who would benefit from working with an independent coach from outside the University.

We can help identify a suitable coach based on the individual's needs and preferences.

Six coaching sessions and an initial chemistry meeting typically cost between £3,000 and £6,000. This must be approved and funded by the colleague’s local area.

To discuss external executive coaching for your area, contact Marie Brotherton.