Professional Development Thru Coaching

About 

The Coast Guard encourages self-development through resources like coaching and mentoring programs that promote self-reflection. Coaching, coupled with tools like skill assessments and Individual Development Plans (IDPs), empowers Coast Guard members to take ownership of their professional growth and pursue personalized learning goals. These initiatives foster a culture of continuous learning and self-improvement.

Coaching vs Mentoring

Coaching is usually short-term and goal-oriented, focusing on specific skills or performance improvements. A certified coach helps individuals unlock their potential by asking powerful questions and facilitating self-discovery, rather than providing direct answers from personal experience.

Mentoring is a relationship where a more experienced individual provides guidance, support, and advice to help someone grow personally and professionally. It often involves sharing experiences and offering perspective from a path they have taken.

Can your coach become a mentor? Absolutely.

  Coaching Mentoring
Target audience For those who want to take action in order to move ahead in some area of life For those in need of advice from someone who has had a similar experience  

Where expertise  resides

 Person being coached Mentor
Desired outcome Action from the person being coached and expansion of their self-awareness Successful sharing and application of mentor's experience and wisdom 
Time orientation Present and future Future
Skills used Asking powerful questions, listening, designing actions, empathy.  Telling, advising. Mentor uses "I" or "Me" references.
Purpose of questions Used by coach to promote discovery for person being coached Used by person being mentored to garner advice
Impact on performance evaluation Performance driven, but does not have an impact on performance evaluation No impact on performance evaluation

Find A Coach

Find the right coach for you here>>

Become A Coach

Existing coaches can volunteer to join the DoD & Coast Guard Coaching Talent Bank here>> 

Become an Associate Certified Coach via Coast Guard Credentialing Opportunities Online (CG Cool). Get started here>>

Begin the coaching certification process through DoD here>>

Take Control of Your Professional Development

Get the most out of your coaching and development by using the below tools to guide your journey:

  • Leadership Assessment Surveys (LAS) - Available to team leaders, division chiefs, department heads, and small unit command cadre (24 persons or less), through the Office of Leadership. Access the LAS here >>
  • Multirater Assessment (360 Survey) - Available at select Coast Guard leadership courses. Alternatively, members can create their own 360 Assessment through the Leadership Development Center (LDC) and utilize as desired. Access the assessment here >>
  • Leader Assist Program - Provides tailored leader development workshops & leadership consulting to individual units in-person or virtually. Services include facilitating work groups, unit climate workshops, and individual coaching. Request Leaders Assist here >> 

Additional Resources

The Leadership Development Center has a variety of resources available to you, including:

 

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