ComputerHunter.org

 

Why a Coach is NOT a Consultant


Often while talking to people about my coaching practice I get asked what the difference is between a coach and a consultant. Many people believe they are either the same thing or very similar. This is untrue. There are many distinct differences between someone who coaches and someone who consults.

First lets start with a definition of both.

Coaching is an interactive relationship with an individual or team that inspires people to identify and accomplish their personal and professional goals faster then they could on their own. Coaches do this in a variety of ways, some of which include:

*Personalize teaching
*Provocative conversation and questioning
*Expanding awareness
*Designing environments
*Co-creating solutions

Consulting is about giving direct answers to specific questions or problems. A consultant provides professional advice and services that he or she develops.

So, what are some examples of differences between coaching and consulting?

Coaching is about asking all the right questions while consulting is about having all the right answers. Consultants don't listen as much as they tell while coaches listen and speak very little.

In coaching, the individual or team chooses the focus of conversation while the coach is there to listen, ask provocative questions, make observations and provide advice when asked for it. Consultants are there to give you their advice and tell you what to do to fix your problem or reach your goal. They have all the answers while a coach will co-create a solution or a path to a specific goal with you.

Consulting usually concentrates on company operations and corporate concerns while coaching is focused on you as an individual.

Consultants tend to use one methodology and apply this to all client projects which works well if you are in an established industry. Coaches customize their methods to each clients expressed needs and wants.

The end result of consulting is usually a report containing a plan of action. A report, or assessment, in coaching is usually the beginning of the relationship. Consultants expect you to follow their plan on your own while coaches are there to help you implement the plan.

It's been my observation that people tend to follow through better and for longer periods of time when they come up with the answers to their problems themselves. Coaches help you do that. A coach does not sell you solutions like a consultant might. They help you find your own solutions and answers which makes you more capable and confident in going forward on your own. Like the old adage says, "Give a man a fish and he has a meal. Teach a man to fish and he has a mean for a lifetime."

Ally Moll is a Life and Creativity Coach located in South Central Wisconsin. She offers one on one coaching to artists and women who want to incorporate more creativity in their lives. Ally helps creative women who are small business owners to create balance between their personal and business lifeand focus their efforts to build their companies faster.

To learn more about her and her services visit http://www.allymoll.com or sign up for her newsletter at http://www.allymoll.com/newsletter







Google News - Top Stories

Citizen

Markets Slide After Bernanke Remarks
New York Times - 2 hours ago
By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM Stocks skidded lower on Tuesday afternoon despite reassurances from the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben S. Bernanke, that the central bank was prepared to lower interest rates, words that many investors had said they were ...
Video: Wall Street Shows Modest Rebound After Rout AssociatedPress
Europe's central banks offer more cash to markets BusinessWeek
AFP - The Associated Press - Forbes - Wall Street Journal
all 876 news articles


The Associated Press

Bernanke hints at possible interest rate cut
MarketWatch - 59 minutes ago
By Greg Robb, MarketWatch WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Ben Bernanke opened the door on Tuesday to a possible cut in interest rates to steer the economy out of a severe downturn, admitting that the turmoil in world markets has caused the Federal Reserve ...
Video: Bernanke: More Economic Pain Ahead AssociatedPress
Bernanke Open to Cutting Interest Rates Washington Post
CNNMoney.com - New York Times - Reuters - Forbes
all 1,161 news articles


Washington Post

Obama camp cites SC school invites to Ayers
The Associated Press - 38 minutes ago
COLUMBIA, SC (AP) - Barack Obama's campaign is citing the University of South Carolina's speaking invitations to William Ayers and Republican Gov.
Video: From Policy To Personality CBS
Axelrod Says Obama Will Counterpunch if McCain Raises Ayres New York Times
Washington Post - ABC News - Newsweek - U.S. News & World Report
all 4,652 news articles


BBC News

Judge orders 17 Chinese Muslims released from Guantanamo Bay
Los Angeles Times - 37 minutes ago
US District Judge Ricardo Urbina will decide where in the US the men can be released. Most had been cleared of wrongdoing four years ago.
Judge Orders Release of Chinese Muslims Into US Washington Post
Federal Judge Orders Release of Chinese Muslims New York Times
BBC News - CNN International - Bloomberg - The Associated Press
all 596 news articles


The Associated Press

Stevens’s Lawyer Challenges Witness
New York Times - 1 hour ago
By NEIL A. LEWIS WASHINGTON - Senator Ted Stevens’s defense lawyer bore in on the prosecution’s chief witness Tuesday, portraying him to a jury as someone who betrayed a longtime friend to protect his fortune.
Stevens jurors hear tape of plot to hide free work The Associated Press
An Angry Judge at Stevens Trial Washington Post
CNN - The Miami Herald - United Press International - WBIR-TV
all 915 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base