Key Differences Between a Consultant and a Business Coach.
You will find that many business coaches offer the "consultant"
skill set. This is likely true because many consultants either
become coaches or because the consultant recognizes coaching is
a trend being embraced by more and more businesses.
This article about business
coaching is a brief comparison of the key differences you
should understand when deciding between coaching or consulting
for your business.
- Consulting focuses on problem solving, strategies, action
plans, and accomplishing very specific goals. Coaching focuses
on learning through action while using the process of self-discovery
to fulfill certain goals and dreams.
What this means:
The consultant will evaluate your business and give you a step-by-step
set of "fixes". This is an outsider opinion from someone
with experience that should be specific to your needs.
The coach will help you discover the right answers and directions
for you business. The coach recognizes each business is a unique
expression of the people who make up the company. What is best
for another company, may not be the vision your company needs.
- The consultant is the expert and brings the knowledge and
expertise to the situation that makes the difference in the
client’s failure or success. The coach guides the client
in a journey of self-discovery through the use of the right
questions.
Again, the consultant gives you the answers to what he/she perceives
to be your business problems.
The coach helps you and your employees to recognize the problems,
the source causing the problem and devise your own strategies
and solutions.
- Consultants solve the client’s present day problems
by providing teaching to develop knowledge and expertise. Coaches
focus on the client’s biggest dreams and goals, making
them come true.
Consultants are more likely to provide a "quick-fix"
solution to business ailments.
Coaches should aid the client with individual growth to move
in the direction of long-term goals and visions.
- Consultants sometimes ask the client the question “why”.
Coaches very seldom, if ever, ask the client “why”.
- Consulting generally focuses on the specific question or problem
at hand. Coaching focuses on the client’s entire life.
- Consultants may take care of specific work for the client
or provide a part of the solution. Coaches do none of the work,
instead letting the client focus and take on all the action.
- Consulting is usually somewhat mechanical and systems oriented.
Coaching is creative and often has a spirit of adventure.
Depending on what a client’s specific problem is, or what
their goal is, they will be able to find a viable solution by
using either a coach or a consultant.
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