Coaching vs consultancy: What's the difference?

Recently I had an enquiry from a potential client who was looking for some coaching. I suggested that she have a look at my website to get a better feel for the way that I work.

The following day, I received an email saying that she was no longer interested...

Hmmm...

The reason given was that I provide professional coaching for organisations, and that she was not looking for a business consultant but rather a life coach.

I never got the opportunity to reassure her that I provide the same type of coaching to both my private and corporate clients. As a coach, my job is to unlock a person's potential (it doesn't matter what environment they are in), and that I am not a consultant.

The reason I am sharing this exchange is that it highlighted to me how often coaching and consultancy get mixed up, not only by private individuals but also by organisations looking to hire me.

There is often confusion over whether it is a coach or a consultant that organisations actually need... and what is the difference anyway?

I thought I would take the opportunity to try and unpick some of the confusion for both myself and others.

The problem arises because sometimes the lines between coaching and consultancy are blurred, with some individuals offering both: two for one, right? Unfortunately, when these lines become blurred, you can lose out, ending up with a rather mixed experience that is neither one nor the other.

Coaches and consultants are both incredibly valuable for businesses, but they are different things and should not be confused.

Coaching can help turn a member of staff into a great leader. Consultancy, on the other hand, provides specialist expertise and practical solutions to business challenges.

Knowing when to employ the services of a coach or a consultant can be crucial for your business, either by helping you develop leadership skills or by helping you solve a particular problem head-on.

So, what's the difference?

Here is my take on it.

Imagine you are learning to drive.

A coach is the driving instructor. They help you gain confidence on the road. They sit in the passenger seat next to you. They give you the time, space and encouragement needed to grow as a new driver.

A consultant, on the other hand, is more like an experienced mechanic or driving expert. They use their expertise to diagnose what's going wrong, explain the problem and recommend the best way forward.

Perhaps that is the main difference...

Consultants come with a bag full of answers, whilst the coach's bag is full of questions.

By asking the right questions, coaches help you find your own ways to tackle the challenges you are facing, whilst consultants provide solutions based on their own knowledge and expertise.

So that is my take.

A consultant is the person your business needs when you need an expert to teach you something or solve a particular problem.

A coach is the person who helps you discover the answers for yourself.