If I were to ask you, “What is the difference between a consultant and a coach?” Would you know how to answer that question? Most of us use terms interchangeably without realizing the term we really mean. I’ve always taken you on the journey with me, and when I recently found out that I was consulting, in most cases, not coaching, I was shocked! If, like me, you do not know, then how do you know if you need a consultant or a coach?
Defining The Two
Number one, a coach is not a therapist, nor are they a consultant. They are very different in the way they operate and, most importantly, in the way they can help you.
Let’s take a look, in true form, with definitions (of course).
Defining Coaching
“Coaching is a transformative journey where you discover your true potential.” International Coaching Federation (ICF) goes on to say:
“At its heart, coaching is about exploration. It’s a process that stirs up creativity, fuels personal growth, and maximizes both professional and personal potential. Through powerful questioning and insightful dialogue, coaches support you in discovering your own solutions, whether for life decisions, career shifts, or business challenges. Coaching goes beyond surface-level improvements; it cultivates deep, lasting change.“
ICF
Defining Consultant
Whereas, as a consultant is defined as:
“a person who provides expert advice professionally.”
oxford languages dictionary
“One of the defining features of consultants is that they possess a knowledge advantage.
There you have it! A consultant can help you because they have knowledge and experience in the industry or business they are consulting.
Reasons You Need A Coach
A coach can help you navigate choices and decisions, and help you get unstuck. This can apply to your business, your life, weight, health, fitness, parenting, and any other area you need.
The key here is that the coach does not need to know your business or your industry at all. In fact, at times it is better if they do not. If a coach has knowledge in the virtual assistant (VA) industry and you want them to coach you, they may provide knowledge or suggestions that they should not.
They are there to help you journey through a process of discovery and wisdom that lies within yourself (whether you know it or not). A coach is not there to provide ‘how to’s or solutions in any form. We simply guide you through the choices, wisdom, and knowledge that are already within you.
Reasons You Need A Consultant
As you consider whether you need a consultant, a coach, or maybe both, you should know why you would need one or the other or both. Reasons you may need a consultant will most often be based on your business needs.
The reasons consultants are needed have to do with where your business is in its evolution. You may need a consultant as you start a business. Others will seek a consultant when they are stuck or in a growth mode. Others still may reach out to a consultant when they are attempting to scale their business, and the consultant has experience in doing this. It is based on the needs of the business and where it is in its growth pattern.
Consultants also offer packages. Most often, they vary from 3 to 6 months to as long as 12 months. You may even want a consultant on call to be available when something comes up that you need help with.
The key is that the consultant has knowledge of the industry most often and has expert experience in doing what you want to do with your business.
I really believe, however, that it is smart to bring on someone who can be a coach and consultant for you.
How A Coach Can Help You
If you are in the process of change, feeling that nudge of uncomfortableness, that means it’s time to look deep within (you know what I mean) yourself. The problem is that you often do not know how to do this yourself.
You can sign up for a package of sessions with a coach and let them help you and guide you in a transformative and often life-changing session. Most coaches have weekly packages, monthly packages, or a set number of sessions you purchase and set up times you meet.
A coach can help with any of these things and more:
- Big Decision You Cannot Seem To Make
- Business Decisions
- New Job
- Big Promotion
- Make a Choice About Subcontracting
- Marriage Issues
- Job Trouble
- Parenting Problems
- Wedding Jitters
- Whether to Bring on a Partner
- Whether it’s Time to Scale
Each session can be life-changing depending on what is going on in your business and life.
How A Consultant Can Help You
A consultant, on the other hand, will give you solutions, advice, and help you with steps and how-tos. They know how to get you to the next level in your field because they have done it themselves.
A consultant can help you with these and more:
- Help with Your Business Setup
- Best Practices for Your Industry
- Growth Strategies
- How to Begin to Scale
- How to Price Your Service Online
- Starting a Business in a Specific Industry (they are familiar with)
- Strategies for Your Marketing
- Specific Growth Strategies for Your Business
As you see, a consultant can help you in many areas as well. The difference is that they…
- Will give you the answer key
- Not expect you to know the answers
- Guide you as they give how-to steps
And so much more.
How To Know Which You Need
Ask yourself these two questions:
- Do I need an expert who has been where I am and can help me and my business grow?
- Do I need someone to guide me through by asking questions (sometimes difficult ones) to help me dig deep within myself to grow?
These are good indicators. The first one means you want a consultant, and the second one indicates that you want a coach.
The great thing is that if you are unsure what you need, set up a free 30-minute consultation/coaching session. I may even offer a package of providing consulting and coaching to help business owners. Consult in regard to guiding businesses with knowledge and a step-by-step process, but also do some real coaching and work on mindset, brainstorming, and decision-making.
A Quick Reference List Of Differences
Do you know the differences? Let’s take a look at this quick reference list of differences between a coach and a consultant.
- A coach doesn’t need to know anything about your business or industry to help you.
- A coach does not give you a solution.
- A coach guides you on a journey of discovery, through the use of questions, to help you see the answer (believing that you have it within you).
- A consultant will give you answers.
- A consultant can offer step-by-step, how-to instructions or advise you through their knowledge on the topic.
- A consultant is an expert in your industry.
When you are not sure which you need, this list will help you discern. Fortunately, I can serve as both if needed and help guide my clients into what is best for them.
Lastly
Lastly, I, in all honesty, was blessed with the opportunity to attend classes to get my ICF coaching certification. It was intensive all last week, morning to night, with homework every night! I really wasn’t sure I could do it physically, but I made it through!
It will likely take me a year to fully get all that I need to be certified, but I’m excited about the journey. I have the knowledge, wisdom, and experience in the online industry to consult and coach, but I’ve always wanted to get this certification.
That’s when I found out that I was only coaching on occasion and usually within the context of our ministry counseling. So, yes, I was shocked. You have to unlearn some bad habits and not give advice or solutions when coaching. If I have an answer, I’m always ready to share, but I learned to listen so much better and simply guide others when coaching.
So, you may see some changes with my website as I will offer both. I still want to help online businesses that are ready to build their agency or simply add subcontractors. If, however, you want true coaching and a journey or exploration, I’m equipped and ready to help you on your journey, all the more!
Tammy S. Durden is an award-winning business coach and consultant who specializes in helping women online service providers grow a business to fit their lifestyle rather than squeeze a life around their business.
Tammy has established herself as an authority figure over the last 18 years while creating and growing several online service businesses. She is also a thought leader, course creator, and speaker in the online service industry.