Which statement best distinguishes coaching from mentoring?

Which statement best distinguishes coaching from mentoring?

• A. Coaching focuses on long-term growth; mentoring on a single task.
• B. Coaching improves a specific task; mentoring develops long-term growth.
• C. Mentoring is only for peers; coaching is only for supervisors.
• D. Coaching and mentoring are two names for the same activity.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how coaching and mentoring differ in focus and timeframe. Coaching targets improving performance on a specific task or skill with a short-term, goal-based approach. Mentoring, on the other hand, supports broader, long-term professional development through guidance and ongoing relationship-building. The statement that coaching improves a specific task and mentoring develops long-term growth captures that contrast most clearly, which is why it’s the best choice. The other options misstate the scope (coaching isn’t only long-term, nor is mentoring limited to peers) or imply they’re the same thing.

The main idea here is how coaching and mentoring differ in focus and timeframe. Coaching targets improving performance on a specific task or skill with a short-term, goal-based approach. Mentoring, on the other hand, supports broader, long-term professional development through guidance and ongoing relationship-building. The statement that coaching improves a specific task and mentoring develops long-term growth captures that contrast most clearly, which is why it’s the best choice. The other options misstate the scope (coaching isn’t only long-term, nor is mentoring limited to peers) or imply they’re the same thing.