[xdg]

I've also worked in consulting in a past career, and I've had a hired coach, and the line you quote with words like "partnering" I would describe as part of marketing the product. They're not exactly going to say "hire us to push you out of your comfort zone", but that is the role.

You said: "they keep asking questions and pushing" -- that's what I mean by setting the agenda. As I mentor, I don't see my role as "pushing". Questioning, sure. Providing perspective, sharing my stores, yes. Actionable feedback on skills is the closest I'd come to "pushing" and even then, they can take it or leave it.

When I see people talking about coaching, I often see -- directly or indirectly -- some aspect of the role of the coach to be to "bring out their best". I rarely see words like that used to describe mentoring relationships.

[gls2ro]

You made me think more about this subject with this comment. In a way - due to different incentives - I think you are right about the outcome.

As the coach is mostly hired and the mentor internal it might be that the coach has more incentive to push someone to bring their best while the mentor - having as main focus another job and doing mentorship as a side task - will offer advice/guidance but will not have the same incentive to follow through.

Anyhow I agree there is not a standard definition of what a coach or mentor is and what they should do.