Coaching vs. Consulting vs. Therapy. How to use them in your career?
There is a misunderstanding in people's minds what is the difference between coaches, consultants, and therapists. Let me share how to use them in your projects, and let's answer some typical questions.
There is a misunderstanding in people's minds what is the difference between coaches, consultants, and therapists.
Let me share how to use them in your projects, and let's answer some typical questions.
What is coaching?
Coaching is a personal development method that helps you to understand yourself and improve your results.
The goal is to realize the inner obstacles that hold you from being the best version of yourself. The focus in coaching sessions is on a "being" and less on the outside circumstances of your situation.
In fact, a coach doesn't need any background about you or your problem.
The main goal is to expand your thinking and create the right environment for new insights that will push you to make progress.
It's about:
Asking the right questions.
Questioning your beliefs.
Creating the right actions.
Providing support.
It's NOT about:
Pushing you to do things you don't want.
Providing you with all the answers.
Teaching you how to live your life.
It's about guiding you to find your answers and solutions.
What coaching is NOT?
Coaching differs from consulting or mentorship, where an expert provides specific recommendations or solutions.
It's also not a therapy that delves into emotional and psychological issues with a focus on healing past traumas.
It is also not cheerleading or giving motivational speeches. Coaching is a more structured and ongoing relationship aimed at producing the results that you want.
What is the problem with coaches online?
Most of the coaches that you see online. Most of them are not coaches at all… Because of no regulation in the industry, they can call themselves a coach.
When in reality, most of them are consultants and mentors. They teach a specific skill or practice from their own experience.
And as long they teach something specific like online marketing or copywriting. There is no problem with that.
The problem starts when a consultant goes to areas where he does not have expertise, ethical guidelines, or an understanding of how a human "works" inside.
The problem with this approach is that their subjective solution can't fit everyone as we are all different from the start. And without the proper education and certification, they can hurt and make a damage.
My suggestion is to check the background of the coaches and therapists that you are starting to work with. Especially if you need support in serious private situations.
What is the difference between coaching and consulting?
Consultants — > tell you what to do based on their expertise in your industry. They give you specific steps to follow.
Coaches —> help you find your answers. They work on internal issues like why you're procrastinating so you can get things done. Or why are you talking about opening a business for 1 year without even taking the first step towards that?
Consultants are good for step-by-step advice.
Coaches are good if you know what to do but can't make yourself do it.
Do you see the difference?
What is the difference between coaching and therapy?
Coaching and therapy are different by far. Coaching focuses on future goals, while therapy deals with the past and mental health. Both can be helpful, but they're not the same.
Coach, focus on your present moment and your future.
Therapist, focus on your past and present moment.
Some people can get fast results with a coach without needing therapy. But coaching isn't a replacement for therapy. The effectiveness of either depends on your relationship with the coach or therapist and how ready you are for change.
Others will focus only on getting directions from consultants without going deep inside themselves.
Everything depends on the timeline of your life and what is the best thing for you now.
In the end, all of them can be helpful in achieving your goals and becoming a better version of yourself.
Take care,
Alex