Consulting vs Coaching: What The Heck Is The Difference and Why It Matters
If you’ve ever worked with a coach, either in life or in your business, then you know that a coach's main role is to listen and ask questions to get YOU to come to some internal answer. In other words, it is up to the coach to GUIDE you -- not PROVIDE for you.
A consultant, on the other hand, is generally an expert in their field who you’d bring in for their advice and input. They PROVIDE you a service with an overview to achieve your desired results. Simply put, they are like your personal guru! They dig deep into your questions, give qualified advice, and even stretch you outside your comfort zone. All the while, you gain confidence knowing that you are in the hands of a professional with the right kind of experience.
Alright y’all, to put the difference in better perspective, let’s take a look at this Alan Trivedi quote…
“When you coach, you explore possibilities. When you consult, you provide possibilities. Knowing the difference enables you to provide the greatest value to your customer. When you are coaching, you help them explore possibilities for themselves that they might not see. When you consult, you take those possibilities and provide them with options based on your knowledge and experience.”
Makes sense, right? Coaches help you peel back the truth, like peeling the layers of an onion to discover who you are and where you would like to go. Consultants provide advice and solutions for problems based on your needs, like a math whiz!
Consultant Services or Coaching Services
So, how do you know when you need a coach vs a consultant?
Are YOU the expert in your business but need guidance and support to grow and reach your goals? Go with a coach.
Are YOU running into a problem in your business and want solid solutions to move through it? Go with a consultant.
Which one do you need in your business to succeed?
I’ll share a secret… many times it’s both! Get a coach when you are seeking support for something in life. And get a consultant when you need to take your skillset a step further, like obtaining a “how-to” gameplan for technical advice.
Or find someone who has the skillset to do BOTH! I used to primarily call myself a consultant, but have realized throughout my time with clients that I also have the ability to coach.
First, I LOVE problem-solving, putting on my ops hat to diagnose an issue, and working with my clients to come to a solution! That’s the consultant in me.
Secondly, I’ve been told I’m great at helping people figure out what they want and where they want to go. That’s where the coach comes in.
Get Your Own Professional Guru!
Getting help isn’t always easy, but all it takes is one small step to get the needle moving. Not sure your best next step? I’d love to hop on a FREE call to chat whether you need a coach or a consultant!
