Despite the maturity achieved by people management processes, not only in large companies, there is still a lot of confusion between terms and applications. In this article, we will clarify a question that many people ask : what is a tutor? What is a mentor? Are there any differences?
The answer is yes. Throughout this article, we will explain the concept of both functions, so that you understand once and for all what they are and what their benefits are. Keep reading!
What is a tutor?
Well, in the corporate context, which is the focus of this blog, the tutoring lithuania email list professional has the role of guiding an employee or even a team in a training course pre-established by the company. This could be an employee of the company itself, or someone hired from outside.
The tutor is a person with a lot of experience in his/her role, so he/she helps a lot in the technical aspects and in the execution of tasks. He/she acts in a very specific way. As a rule, different tutors are needed for different positions.
If we draw a parallel with football, the tutor is the coach, that is, he will give directions so that his trainee performs daily tasks in the best way possible, always aiming for high performance.
It works almost like a pedagogical guide. The tutor observes the gaps of his trainee, providing very accurate assistance.
Another advantage is the closer relationship with employees. The tutor will have the freedom to understand, up close, the professionals' desires, understanding and assimilating more quickly what is lacking in terms of skills and competencies .
Many organizations opt for tutoring over mentoring (less than 11% of them have mentors, according to the Brazilian Coaching Institute). You'll understand why below.
What is a mentor?
Unlike a tutor, a mentor must be an employee (or former employee, in some cases) of the company. This is because their role is not only to provide technical guidance, but also cultural and behavioral guidance.
The professional chosen to mentor companies is even more experienced and helps trainees see situations and perspectives from completely different perspectives. They act as a kind of guide, not just for their careers. They are someone with a wealth of experience in the area in which the person being helped works.
As mentioned, it is like an advisor for issues even outside the work environment, as long as it reflects on the same. Mentoring should include discussions around desires, goals and growth possibilities. It is great for younger talents, who need to accelerate their growth.
He is a senior professional, often about to retire, and who, in his role, has a less specific function, technically speaking. He will be the baton passer in some situations, will welcome newly hired employees and will personify issues such as the company's values, mission and vision.
The mentoring process works as a two-way street: the mentor teaches and learns at the same time.
Main differences between tutoring and mentoring
In case the differences between the roles of mentor and tutor are not yet clear, we have listed some items below:
Directions
We can interpret the tutor as a coach, who will listen a lot to the trainee and direct him more in the technical aspect of executing tasks on a daily basis – something more specific and focused on skills.
A mentor is someone who will provide a more holistic view of your career , prioritizing not only the technical aspects of your day-to-day life, but also the behavioral aspects of both work and personal life.
Position in the company
To perform this role, the mentor does not necessarily need to be working at the company at the moment. Today, there are cases in which he or she acts as a consultant, helping the company to develop talent in an agile and efficient manner.
The tutor, in turn, is a person who is aware of everything that happens in the company and needs to pass this on to the trainee. Above all, he or she teaches about topics related to the position, the roles and how that professional will fit into the context of the organization.