Sometimes we need a little more guidance to break through our self-imposed barriers.
Coaching and Consulting
What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
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You’re ready to hire someone to assist you with taking your business to the next level or to help you improve your personal life. As you researched the possibilities, you’ve noticed there are professional coaches and consultants. Both claim to assist individuals to reach their potential or in the pursuit of their dreams. So what is the difference between a coach and a consultant and which is best for you? |
While there are many significant differences between the two, in this article I want to highlight the difference that may mean the most to you in deciding which can serve you best. That difference lies in their approach and the focus of their objective.
A coach works with a client in a way that focuses on self-discovery. Your coach will ask you many questions in order to guide you to find your own answers/solutions. He or she may provide resources where you can be exposed to information that you may draw upon in order to develop those solutions. A major objective for a coach is to motivate and encourage his/her client. A coach helps you discover what is not working in your life or business and helps you develop a plan to fix it.
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A consultant also helps his or her client identify the issues in their life or business which are holding them back – keeping them from enjoying all of the success possible. Your consultant will also ask a lot of questions – and in a business setting will most likely conduct several interviews with others involved in the business. However, because of his or her experience and training, a consultant will point out issues which you may |
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not be able to see yourself. They will teach you skills necessary to overcome the obstacles which are standing in the way of your success and provide specific guidance to address those obstacles. A major objective for a consultant is to identify the problems you are facing and suggest possible solutions.
Both can help you achieve the results you desire. The question you must answer is this: Which approach will I respond to the best?
There is typically more ownership in a relationship with a coach than there is with a consultant. The goals, action steps and strategies you develop with a coach typically have more of your own fingerprint on them than those which are developed with a consultant. Some people respond best to a coach because they were intimately involved in discovering both the issues and the solutions. There is greater “buy-in” because they are the author of the plan of attack which has been developed. However, some people are too close to the situation in their business and/or life. The result is they are myopic – near-sighted or short-sighted and unable to discern the issues that are holding them back. These people need someone who will tell them what the issues are and provide some possible approaches to overcoming them. They hire a consultant for his or her expertise and their ability to see what they cannot.
Personally, I believe in a hybrid approach. I want to develop the close relationship with my clients that is usually achieved with a coach but I also want to fast-track their success by quickly identifying the obstacles which are hampering their success. My primary approach is that of a coach – guiding my clients through that process of self-discovery. But if I perceive my clients either unable or unwilling to see the issues that require their attention, I will ask permission to change my role from coach to consultant. My objective is to serve you in the way that works best for you! Contact me to see if I can be of assistance in helping you to move forward with your life or business.
Both can help you achieve the results you desire. The question you must answer is this: Which approach will I respond to the best?
There is typically more ownership in a relationship with a coach than there is with a consultant. The goals, action steps and strategies you develop with a coach typically have more of your own fingerprint on them than those which are developed with a consultant. Some people respond best to a coach because they were intimately involved in discovering both the issues and the solutions. There is greater “buy-in” because they are the author of the plan of attack which has been developed. However, some people are too close to the situation in their business and/or life. The result is they are myopic – near-sighted or short-sighted and unable to discern the issues that are holding them back. These people need someone who will tell them what the issues are and provide some possible approaches to overcoming them. They hire a consultant for his or her expertise and their ability to see what they cannot.
Personally, I believe in a hybrid approach. I want to develop the close relationship with my clients that is usually achieved with a coach but I also want to fast-track their success by quickly identifying the obstacles which are hampering their success. My primary approach is that of a coach – guiding my clients through that process of self-discovery. But if I perceive my clients either unable or unwilling to see the issues that require their attention, I will ask permission to change my role from coach to consultant. My objective is to serve you in the way that works best for you! Contact me to see if I can be of assistance in helping you to move forward with your life or business.