Posted on Nov 27, 2013
What is the difference between Leadership and Mentorship? Is there a difference?
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Mentoring session, interested in the different perspectives on the subject.
Posted 11 y ago
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The Army defines Leadership as influencing people by providing purpose, direction and motivation, while operating to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.
Army Mentorship is defined as the voluntary developmental relationship that exists between a person with greater experience and a person of lesser experience characterized by mutual trust and respect.
Mentorship is about developing the leaders of the future, it is based on trust and respect. Leadership is focused on getting the mission done, effectively and efficiently. The two are tied closely together in that mentoring junior officers and Soldiers is critical to the improvement of the organization. The development of trust and respect through mentorship, flowing vertically and laterally within the organization provides motivation and direction.
These are two different terms that each mean different things, but are vital to each other to effectively build the cohesive, focused team.
Army Mentorship is defined as the voluntary developmental relationship that exists between a person with greater experience and a person of lesser experience characterized by mutual trust and respect.
Mentorship is about developing the leaders of the future, it is based on trust and respect. Leadership is focused on getting the mission done, effectively and efficiently. The two are tied closely together in that mentoring junior officers and Soldiers is critical to the improvement of the organization. The development of trust and respect through mentorship, flowing vertically and laterally within the organization provides motivation and direction.
These are two different terms that each mean different things, but are vital to each other to effectively build the cohesive, focused team.
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I think that within the Army, there is a lot of confusion as to the differences between leadership and mentorship.
A lot of folks believe that they are the same or that you can simultaneously be a mentor/leader to the same person.
One of the common misconceptions is that you choose a Soldier to mentor, not true, mentee's choose their mentor.
Additionally, if you are in a leadership position and you only mentor certain Soldiers in your formation, that could be looked upon as not providing equal opportunity to all your Soldiers. If you are not providing all Soldiers the same access and the same professional development, then it's not fair.
That's why mentorship "could" be performed on Soldiers within your echelon, but it shouldn't.
Mentorship should be used with Soldiers outside your echelon. There is a much more "informal" relationship at this point which actually facilitates a much more conducive environment to mentorship and professional development.
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CW2 Joseph Evans
That being said, the Army structure sets it up so that each leader has 3-6 subordinates through which all actions are delegated. BDE CO has his XO and BN CDRs, BN CDR respectively has his XO and CO CDRs. In this capacity, he is both leader and mentor.
You are right, that a Senior should not mentor within his Chain of Command outside of this team, but failing to mentor those in his immediate circle is a failing.
Those Officers and Soldiers expected to follow their CDRs orders should understand that if time is not permitted for them to understand the orders before they execute, they can still trust and that understanding will come when the dust has settled.
You are right, that a Senior should not mentor within his Chain of Command outside of this team, but failing to mentor those in his immediate circle is a failing.
Those Officers and Soldiers expected to follow their CDRs orders should understand that if time is not permitted for them to understand the orders before they execute, they can still trust and that understanding will come when the dust has settled.
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CSM Mike Maynard
CW2 Evans - you are correct in stating that a supervisor has a responsibility to professionally develop those that he directly rates (the 3-6 subordinates you speak of).
But, mentorship is much more than just professionally developing your subordinates, professionally developing your subordinates is part of your responsibility as a leader.
That is why mentorship should be accomplished with those outside of your unit/echelon as it is much more informal and requires a greater relationship aspect.
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They are interrelated, and involve many of the same dynamics. Both are about the capacity to influence people although the forums may be different. When I think leadership, I think broader strokes where a single person motivates a group. When I think mentoring, I think about a more personal interaction in a small group or a relationship between two individuals. That's not to say that these situations are mutually exclusive; only that there is a sliding scale spectrum where both may occur to differing degrees.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
Senior Chief; respectfully, in my Military career I have taken more from a conversation and a situation to shape my next career move. I look
back, and it was the toxic leaders who motivated me to pursue that second Masters degree. I was
an SSG and decided to go to Warrant Officer after getting punched in the face in formation. I believe that adversity is a great mentor when you look at
mediocrity and the importance of staying on higher ground.
back, and it was the toxic leaders who motivated me to pursue that second Masters degree. I was
an SSG and decided to go to Warrant Officer after getting punched in the face in formation. I believe that adversity is a great mentor when you look at
mediocrity and the importance of staying on higher ground.
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