How is Technology Used in Coaching and Mentoring?

Technology has become a big part of our everyday life.

12:19 20 April 2020

Just look around you; schools and businesses alike have been utilizing technology for years to save effort and improve their workflow. However, technology is not often associated with coaching and mentoring, as both depend on face-to-face interactions. That does not mean that technology cannot be used to enhance the mentor-mentee relationship, especially given the current lockdowns. So, if you are a mentor or a coach and do not know what technology can bring to the table, check the following ways technology can improve your mentees' experience.

Improving the Mentor’s Skills

You might think that you should focus all your effort and energy on unlocking your mentees’ potential, but what about you? Trying to give your students the best experience possible is all well and good, yet you should also focus on improving your own skillset. 

Technology offers a seamless way of doing so, as it creates a community of mentors and coaches. When you are a beginner in the coaching and mentoring field, it is hard to know which methods work, especially if you want to start a career in a coaching field that requires a lot of sympathy and experience like life coaching. So, you can benefit from other coaches’ experiences and get quick tips to enhance your skills. In a similar vein, the professional life coaches at https://www.coachtrainingedu.com point out that you can join training programs to become a certified coach/mentor. Having higher credentials can help you improve your methods and attract new mentees. 

If, however, you do not have enough money to spare, you can always resort to free resources, such as educational videos. It may cost you some time, but think of it as a long-term investment. The wider your skillset is, the more you can help your trainees nurture their own unique talents and improve their lives.

Providing Online Applications

Online applications are by far the most well-known use of technology in the field of mentoring and coaching. Just like e-learning in schools and universities, mentors use the same communication methods to build rapport. Until very recently, coaching and mentoring heavily relied on face-to-face interaction. Nevertheless, many coaches now are leaning towards using online video conferencing to hold classes. The mentees no longer have to look for good mentors in their hometown because they can just use the internet to find mentors from all over the world. This aspect of globalization has made it easier for trainees to communicate with their trainers, as it only takes a few clicks to hold real-life interactions with your mentors. Furthermore, mentees usually need a sense of community to thrive. Just like mentors who need other professionals in the same field to help them, mentees need to be able to communicate with fellow trainees. Sharing experiences can give mentees a confidence boost, which will certainly help improve faster in the long run. So, as a coach, using the online applications of technology is your best bet if you want to see quick results.

Facilitating Large-Scale Mentoring Project

When a business owner holds training or mentoring programs for their employees, it is easy for mentors to feel overwhelmed, particularly if they are responsible for training a big number of workers. Consequently, many trainers resort to software to analyze their trainees’ progress and generate reports. Moreover, when mentoring a big crowd, staying in control and keeping the mentees motivated can be hard without using infographics and creative videos. This is why technology is crucial when it comes to large-scale mentoring/coaching projects that include many variables.

Enhancing Sports Coaching

When talking about coaching, we cannot forget sports coaches of course. While the above points can be applied to any type of coaching or mentoring, technology has completely changed sports coaching. We usually associate sports coaches with yelling. However, nowadays, sport coaches are stepping away from this traditional image by using innovative technology. Tiny earbuds are now distributed to players to enable them to listen to their coaches’ instructions. Instead of using a megaphone or other means of communication that do not provide enough privacy, coaches can now analyze their team members’ playing styles to point out the aspects they should work on. 

When you are a mentor/coach, putting your mentees’ needs first is a must. Yet, you cannot achieve this without using technology. Whether you are a life coach, business coach, or even a sports coach, you can make use of technology to improve your own skills and help your trainees thrive. So, what are you waiting for? Improve your coaching methods by using our guide today!