International Mentoring Day: Guiding Lights and New Horizons
Today (January 17th) the world celebrates International Mentoring Day. It’s a time to honour those who have shaped our paths, held up mirrors to our potential, and guided us toward becoming who we are. It’s also an invitation to reflect on how we, in turn, can support others on their journeys. This isn’t to say that we all need to go out and have formal mentoring sessions over countless cups of coffee! Very often, it’s the showing up and being present to the world which is the greatest act of mentorship we witness. Arriving to work on time, or asking how somebody’s day is going may appear like the smallest of actions to you, and yet for another, you might just be that beacon that lights up the path forward.
Mentorship it cold be argued is one of humanity’s oldest traditions. It weaves through every success story, reminding us that growth and achievement are rarely solitary endeavors. Maya Angelou, herself a mentor to Oprah Winfrey, captured this truth so powerfully in her inaugural poem “On the Pulse of Morning”:
“The horizon leans forward, offering you space to place new steps of change.”
These words hold an invitation. They remind us that mentors help create that space — a space where possibilities are revealed, courage is nurtured, and the next step feels just within reach. A mentor doesn’t impose their journey on another but stands at the edge of the horizon, steadying us as we prepare to step into our own.
Angelou also spoke another timeless truth:
“Nobody, but nobody, can make it out here alone.”
Mentorship is the embodiment of this principle. Whether it’s a teacher who first believed in us, a colleague who offered guidance, or a seasoned professional who shared their wisdom, every milestone in our lives has likely been influenced by someone who walked alongside us. And yet, the beauty of mentorship is not in creating dependency but in welcoming independence — offering a hand-up rather than a hand-out until we can steady ourselves.
Mentor Coaching: A Different Kind of Horizon
In the coaching world, mentorship takes on a unique form. Mentor coaching, while rooted in the spirit of guidance, is not about imparting wisdom based on past experiences. Instead, it is about sharpening the craft of coaching itself through the present moment.
Where a traditional mentor might share personal insights or direct advice, a mentor coach takes a different approach. Their role is to reflect, question, and partner with you to enhance your skills. Mentor coaching is deeply tied to the International Coaching Federation (ICF) core competencies, supporting coaches deepen their ability to listen, respond, and stay fully present with their clients.
Why It Matters
Mentor coaching is not just about meeting industry standards or preparing for accreditation (although this is part of it). It’s about stepping into your next chapter as a coach — with more awareness, enhanced competency, and more attuned to how you coach. It’s about discovering new ways to create the space for change that Angelou so beautifully described.
Oprah Winfrey (global media leader, producer, philanthropist, actress, and author) shared openly that Maya Angelou, was for her, the ultimate mentor. She furthers this by saying: “Anybody who’s had any level of success in their life got to where they are because somebody, somewhere, was a guiding light or a guiding force.” Coaches, too, need those guiding forces. Even as we dedicate ourselves to supporting others, we grow stronger when we allow ourselves to be supported, through exploration and growth.
An Invitation
At Nova Terra, we understand the value of having that space to grow and refine your craft. Our mentor coaching programs — whether individual or group-based — offer coaches the opportunity to connect deeply with the ICF core competencies and take their practice to new heights.
This April, our next mentor coaching cycle begins. It’s your chance to step into a partnership that illuminates your potential and helps you build the confidence and skill to create powerful, transformative conversations with your clients.
The horizon is leaning forward. How ready are you to step into it?
Learn more and reserve your place in Nova Terra’s mentor coaching programs by contacting us today.
