What is the difference between Leadership and Mentorship? Is there a difference?

1SG Charmaine R. — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 04:08:18 -0500

Mentoring session, interested in the different perspectives on the subject.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Nov 30 at 2013 6:44 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 18:44:09 -0500

I would submit that leadership is something that is more direct (with people in your unit/AO), while mentorship can be indirect (much broader with you circle of influence).

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2013 7:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 19:04:29 -0500

These are two distinct subjects in themselves. I have seen many great leaders that were not so great mentoring. I once was told that you can tell you done your job as a leader when you are not there. Basically if you played your cards right you have mentored your subordinates to where they can assume your duties and continue on with the mission. Mentoring is a lost art. I was lucky to run into some great NCOs that mentored and I would later pay it forward. I was put in for the Major General Aubrey "Red" Newman award but one person in the CoC didn't feel the same as others and it didn't go through. I would strongly encourage to look into giving out such awards.

The United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) recognizes outstanding junior leaders who demonstrate a commitment to developing their soldiers with the Major General Aubrey "Red" Newman award.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 30 at 2013 7:06 PM

CMC Robert Young — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 19:06:18 -0500

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.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Nov 30 at 2013 7:11 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 19:11:46 -0500

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.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Nov 30 at 2013 7:38 PM

CSM Mike Maynard — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 19:38:42 -0500

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.

You perform "leadership" on Soldiers within your echelon (basically those Soldiers that work for you in your Squad, Section, Platoon, etc).

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.

Response by SFC James Twitdy made Dec 1 at 2013 6:04 PM

SFC James Twitdy — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 18:04:35 -0500

MSG Reyna,

When I here the word "leadership," automatically I'm expecting the root word to be displayed and or demostrated by example. Simply lead the way or as NCOs often say lead from the front correctly if I may add. Subordinates and future leaders who are in leadership positions have to Lead and not follow. Mentoring is similar to leadership but not exactly the same. You have to be willing to be taught the correct way of doing things IAW ARs. Sort of like basic training. DS Pain provided his leadership to by teaching, coaching and mentoring the new privates. But it was his overall guidance and mentorship that made them successful, fit to fight, and can't forget his overall leadership helping them succeed.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2013 7:23 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 19:23:35 -0500

I've never had a toxic mentor, can't say that about leaders.

Response by COL James Stevens Roach made Dec 1 at 2013 8:12 PM

COL James Stevens Roach — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 20:12:58 -0500

I have heard the term leadership used in two different ways.

First way of using the term leadership is in describing the organization, planning and leading others in a specific task or objective. Non-Military Example: He was a leader in organizing and running the book fair.

Second way I have heard the term leadership used is in terms of helping your subordinates on a day-to-day basis be more effective leaders of their soldiers. This is a more general concept, and it includes providing your personal example of hard work and integrity in your day to day activities.

In both of these examples the leader is part of the unit.

Mentorship has an overlap with that second sort of leadership described above, but in my experience it is provided by an older more experienced person - who is not part of the unit. So they have a little stand off from day-to-day activities, and can provide a truely objective assessment of the various motivations and human dynamics at work in a situation.

Humans are complex, and sometimes we don't even understand all of our motivations, let alone the various motivations of our team mates.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jul 15 at 2015 8:29 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 08:29:36 -0400

IMHO, mentorship is part of leadership. I would define leadership as motivating others to execute their mission at or above standard regardless of circumstance. Mentoring is part of that motivational process.