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Coaching vs. Consulting

There is often confusion between Coaching and Consulting and it's important to understand the distinctions between them.

Consulting is consultant directed. The consultant comes to the partnership as a subject matter expert. Consulting is often narrowly focused on specific issues. Consultants may identify the need for certain skills as well as offer training in those skills. After careful discussion and analysis of what results you're looking to achieve, consultants frequently do the work for a client. The focus of consulting is to get a project done that will enhance your business.

Coaching on the other hand, is client directed. The coach works to help the client discover his/her own answers, options or solutions. Through coaching, a client has the opportunity to acquire new ways of looking at problems and to invent new solutions. In other words, the team of client and coach discover fresh tools that enable the client to create a better business and life. Challenging clients to discover the answers they seek empowers them to choose and create what they most desire. A coach then provides emotional and practical support to the clients in whatever direction they decide to take. Unlike friends or relatives, a coach is impartial and is willing to risk the relationship to help you develop truth. That's our job. A coach is trained to listen for what's not being said and is totally focused on you. Coaching is very effective to set and meet short-term goals resulting in better-quality outcomes. Coaching focuses on present and future results and does not seek to change the past.