Consulting and Coaching?

“Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime.” Chinese Proverb

Consulting and Coaching? What’s the Difference?

The short answer is that Consulting is about me teaching you things, and Coaching is about me drawing answers out of you, helping you appreciate things you already know.

Whether I’m coaching or consulting, I ask a lot of questions, and I do a lot of listening. In fact, that listening is the foundation for everything else. Respectful Curiosity is my most important tool.

Based on what I hear, we will likely go in one of two directions:

Consulting

Based on what I learn from listening to you, I may call upon my years of business, management and consulting experience to propose changes and teach you new skills. In working with businesses, for example, those skills might be in the areas of strategy planning, hiring, managing your employees, customer service, or other areas. I may teach you about specific tools that you can use going forward, or about communication methods and methods for handling problems or for making decisions.

Coaching

Based on what I learn from listening to you, I may ask more questions that draw out what you already know. Questions that make clear the contrasts between what you say and do and what you want and believe. Much of the time my clients just need someone to ask the right questions, questions that make them look at things in a new way. (One of my clients says, “You pull things out of my head!”) This helps them to make fundamental long-term changes to beliefs and behaviors that hold them back. They already know answers or have skills they take for granted, or need a safe place to explore new territory.

For example, people often have skills and knowledge, but consistently fail to implement them. Coaching can help people to be successful with the tools they acquire, whether they are business tools, communication tools, or career management tools.

And So…

I employ both approaches, based upon what you need. Because it really is all about you. Whether you need consulting, coaching, or some of each, my skills, knowledge and curiosity can help you find the answers you need.

Want to know more? Contact Me and let’s talk!

It’s time to move from the maze to Amazing.

Image Credit: “Problem Solving” Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image Credit: “The Music Lesson” by Susan T. Blake