British School of Coaching

Think back to someone who had a real impact on your career.

They may have taught you something.

But perhaps more importantly, they gave you enough space to think, try, get things wrong and discover what you were capable of.

This Friday, who comes to mind?

And an even better question: Are you being that person for someone else?

Manager. Mentor. Are the two roles really that different? Managers are expected to solve problems. Mentors often do something different: they help other people become better at solving their own. That shift can change the quality of conversations across a team.

Our resource “Why Mentor as a Manager?” explores some of the thinking behind taking a mentoring approach at work.

And it's one of the skills we explore practically within our mentoring programmes.

👉 Visit https://ow.ly/S72750ZBSx1 to read more.

Mentoring is often mistaken for simply giving someone the benefit of your experience.
Effective mentoring goes much further. It involves listening, questioning, encouraging reflection and knowing when your own experience is helpful, and when it is better to step back. Because sometimes the best mentor isn't the person with the most answers.
It's the person who knows which questions to ask.

Read more about our mentoring qualification; https://ow.ly/wv8550ZBSnj

Good listening isn’t waiting for the other person to finish so that we can respond.

Sometimes the most valuable conversations are the ones where we allow what we hear to genuinely challenge our own assumptions.

As you finish the week, think about one conversation you had.

Did you listen to understand.....or listen to reply?

One of the questions we’re asked most often is:
Should I do Level 5 or Level 7?

The answer depends much more on where you are coaching, who you are coaching and what you want to do with the qualification than on choosing the highest level available.

Our latest guide looks at the differences and helps you think through which route might suit you.

If you’re still unsure after reading it, talk to us. We’d much rather help someone choose the right programme than simply the next programme.

👉 Read: https://ow.ly/Lwsg50ZBS5z

The Level 5 programme is aimed particularly at managers, leaders, HR/OD professionals and aspiring professional coaches, while Level 7 is designed around executive and senior-level practice.

Ready to take your coaching to executive level?

Our ILM Level 7 Certificate and Diploma in Executive and Senior Level Coaching and Mentoring is designed for experienced professionals who want to deepen their coaching practice and work confidently at senior and executive level. This isn’t simply about learning more coaching models.
It is about developing the depth, professional judgement and reflective practice needed when coaching within complex organisations and with senior decision-makers.

If you are considering Level 7 but are unsure whether it is the right step for you, speak to us. We’re always happy to discuss your experience and where you want your coaching to take you. https://ow.ly/pJHN50ZBRV7

What if your manager asked one more question before giving the answer?
Managers need to make decisions.
But they don't need to make every decision for everyone.

Developing a coaching approach can help managers create greater ownership, accountability and confidence within their teams.

Our Coaching Skills for Managers, ILM Recognised programme runs 7&8 October. Book here : https://ow.ly/3t3B50ZBTwZ

Two practical days focused on bringing coaching into everyday management conversations.

Have you booked your place yet?

Join us in Manchester for Coaching in Action – Creative Approaches in Face-to-Face Coaching, an interactive CPD workshop designed for coaches who want to bring more creativity, confidence and impact into their in-person coaching conversations.

This practical session will give you the opportunity to explore a range of experiential tools, activities and techniques that can help you:

- deepen coaching conversations
- encourage fresh thinking and insight
- strengthen your coaching presence
- work creatively with what is happening in the room
- create greater impact for your clients

Led by Martin Hill, the morning will be highly practical and interactive, giving you ideas and approaches that you can take straight into your own coaching practice.

📍 Manchester
📅 Friday 9 October 2026
🕤 9.30am – 12.00pm

If you’re looking for CPD that gets you away from the screen and gives you the chance to experience, practise and explore coaching differently, we’d love to see you there.

Book here: https://ow.ly/jQhp50ZAKTk

Our learners bring the commitment. We provide the structure and support.
It’s always good to see the outcome!

Not everything from this month needs to move into the next.

Keep what helped you grow.