The Thought Partner (Copy)

I have often struggled with striking the right balance on the advising-mentoring-coaching spectrum. Where does one end and the next begin? Sometimes in the same conversation - one moment guiding, the next moment sensing an opening, an opportunity for a new way of thinking.

So I thought to write it down and the closest model for engagement that comes to mind is that of a ‘thought-partner’:

1. Some may call it a mentor, but it’s not quite that. Since in classical mentoring, the mentor is often in a power position to influence outcomes.

2. The engagement also shares characteristics of advising in that there is domain expertise and intuition that the advisor brings to the table.

3. So, a blend of advising, mentoring, coaching if you may. In particular: 

1. Someone the client can brainstorm ideas or approaches with, in high bandwidth conversations. Conversations supported by the thought partner’s expertise, intuition and experience.

2. Someone the client can rely on to provide her with:

   1. New ways of thinking about the problem. Including asking if it is even a problem?

   2. Elevation (forest for the trees). What’s really going on in this situation?

   3. Awareness of energy (of self and of the team) to go about their job with balance, confidence, even joy!

   4. Proven frameworks or research to learn from and adapt to own needs, as the case may be.

3. At some level, someone who can help the client strengthen vision, strategy, execution or culture, whichever may need work. And know which matters when!

4. But most most importantly, someone the client can trust to challenge her to look at her own self in all this,(coaching moments) and thus learn to go within to tap into their inner wisdom.