Many people confuse “coaching” and “consulting.” While coaching focuses on helping an individual clarify and work towards achieving a goal, consulting involves providing expertise, analysis and recommendations for how an organization can solve a specific problem. Consulting is usually short-term focused and tactically-oriented.
Both coaching and consulting involve a skilled professional that assists a client in achieving his or her goals. The differences lie in how they support the client. A coach usually works one-on-one with a client to facilitate personal or professional change. The coach listens, asks questions, and holds the client accountable. However, it is the client who does all the work to implement any suggested exercises or action steps.
What Consulting Is
Companies hire consultants to access a body of knowledge and expertise not available within the company and to get an outside, objective perspective on a current problem. Depending on the contracted work, consultants will answer questions, analyze specific situations or problems, offer advice, make recommendations, teach new skills or create an action plan. In some cases, the consultant may implement the solution for the company or find and manage outside contractors to complete the work.
In other words, a consultant will provide a recommended plan for the client based on his or her expert analysis. A coach will ask the right questions so that the client can figure out which plan would be best for them, personally.
5 Ways Coaching Differs from Consulting
Here are five primary differences between coaching and consulting.
- Consulting focuses on problem solving, creating action plans, and accomplishing very specific goals. Coaching focuses on reflection and self-discovery to fulfill long-term goals.
- A consultant is the expert who uses his knowledge and experience to facilitate a client’s success. A coach guides the client in a journey of self-discovery by asking the right questions.
- Consultants solve the client’s present day problems by teaching skills or implementing solutions. Coaches focus on helping the client achieve his biggest dreams and goals.
- Consulting focuses on one specific question or problem. Coaching focuses on the client’s entire life.
- Consultants may implement all or part of the solution. Coaches do none of the work. It’s the client’s responsibility to take action.
Whether you hire a coach or a consultant depends on what your goal is. If you have a specific business-related problem and don’t have the required skills to fix it, hiring a consultant is your best bet. If you have high-level goals such as which direction to take your company, how to lead or facilitate change, or how to maintain work-life balance, you might consider hiring a coach.
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