--- title: Do You Need a Mentor or a Coach? description: When do you need a mentor and when do you need a coach? It would depend on the problem and how you want it resolved. image: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/hs-fs/file-1804430042-png/Images/Blog_Images/Aaron_Walker.png --- [sdd](http://www.viewfromthetop.com/) # View from the Summit ## [Do You Need a Mentor or a Coach?](https://www.isibrotherhood.com/viewfromthesummit/do-you-need-a-mentor-or-a-coach) Posted by [Aaron Walker](https://www.isibrotherhood.com/viewfromthesummit/author/aaron-walker) on Oct 8, 2014 5:33:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Aaron_Walker](https://www.isibrotherhood.com/hs-fs/file-1804430042-png/Images/Blog_Images/Aaron_Walker.png) I believe you need and can benefit from both in your life. And I would encourage you to intentionally pursue both. ### What’s the difference? In a broad sense I would define a mentor as someone who walks ahead of you. Imagine a tour guide. This is someone - usually older - or at least more experienced in a specific area of life or business who can “show you a better way.” When I was newly married, my wife and I looked for couples who could “mentor” us on how to have a great marriage. --- In business I’ve always sought out wiser, wealthier, healthier (as in balanced) men than me. I wanted them to mentor me along the path.  Usually mentors are those you can stay connected with over a longer period of time. It’s someone who can speak to the “heart” and help you recognize and avoid pitfalls along the way.  Mentors are invaluable. A successful man will be able to clearly point to good mentors in his life. If you can’t, then intentionally seek one out.  ### What about coaches? Of course I believe a great coach will be concerned with your whole person. But they usually have a very “narrow” and “focused” approach in the way they help you. While a mentor will often be someone who you don’t pay, coaches usually will be someone you actually “hire” to help you.  A coach will get [real specific with you](http://blog.viewfromthetop.com/blog/why-do-i-need-a-coach) in identifying and developing clear objectives you want to reach.  Think of a running coach. An Olympic hopeful will hire a running coach.  Someone they can trust to look intently at their current techniques, habits, exercises, etc. And show them areas they can improve on.  My friend [Dan Miller](http://www.48days.com/about-us/dans-bio/) (a coach himself) is always talking about how he is quick to work with a coach on an area he wants to quickly and clearly improve on.  When he wanted to improve his podcast, he hired a coach who helped him learn all the ins and outs of successful podcasting. This allowed Dan to quickly improve in an area that benefited his business.  ### So how do you decide if you need a mentor or a coach? Take a look at what you are trying to accomplish. If you need to improve a specific area of your life or business and you are hoping to see some measurable improvements, in a relatively short amount of time - then I think [you are ready to engage with a coach](http://blog.viewfromthetop.com/blog/life-coaching-roi). --- If you are looking to [improve the general quality of your life](http://blog.viewfromthetop.com/blog/impacting-men-change-mastermind-groups-life-coaching), marriage, spiritual, physical, or emotional state then find a good mentor in your life. Someone you can continue to walk the road with.  I’ve found it’s not an either/or situation. But there are times where even though I’ve surrounded myself with great mentors, I need a little more intentional focus to increase my own capacity or skill.  --- Do you need intentional focus in areas in your life? You can make it happen. 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