Distinctions

Consulting / Training / Teaching / Therapy / Coaching

It's about me...

Consulting and Training services are usually used by people who want to pick an expert’s brain on various relevant subjects. The overall expectation is that this valuable information, based on an extensive background on the part of the Consultant and Trainer, will benefit the growth, direction and positive financial, operational or sales-target outcomes - or ‘hard and soft skills’ – of a team, company or organization.

It’s mostly about the Consultant and the Trainer – their expertise, knowledge and tools for helping the Client achieve their goals. There is some but little accountability or behavior-thought-action change, and if there is an action plan in place, the Consultant or Trainer is rarely involved in the whole process.

The main distinction between a Consultant and a Trainer, is that the Trainer will  provide a team or group setting and would be able to additionally offer a workshop-style learning experience for the Client. In short, Consultants and Trainers give expert advice on what to do and what not to do.

It's about us...

Teaching and Therapy is a two-way street, most of the time. The Teacher and the Therapist must create pathways to not only offer information, knowledge and insight… they must also create a learning environment (a process of information absorption) in which the Student and Client can assimilate this information, knowledge and insight. Suggestions and advice are given, along with some tools and light homework assignments for further knowledge or clarity.

The main distinction between a Teacher and a Coach vs. a Therapist… is based on an assumption that a Therapist might have a Client who is somewhat ‘unstable’ or highly vulnerable, and therefore extra care is taken with their approach. Of course, a Teacher, Trainer, Consultant or Coach might also encounter a similar Student or Client who needs extra care; however, this is on a more ‘surface’ level of intensity.

It's about you...

Coaching is unique in that it is all about the Client. The assumption is that the Client’s emotional intelligence and stability is without question, that the Client’s internal wisdom is intact, and if/when a vulnerable subject is explored, the Coach will pursue a direct and accelerated path towards what is possible?, what works? and then what can be done? ... in relation to a difficult moment, memory, negative guiding belief, etc. The focus is almost entirely present – future based.

The Coach sets up ACCOUNTABILITY systems (homework, agreements, accountability reminders and partners) to make sure that what the Client has agreed to do is put into ACTION. The extensive experience and background of a Coach is vital to the success of Client outcomes; however, this expertise is ‘imbedded’ and comes out in the forms of offering directional questioning, truthful observations and possibilities, action plans and measurable targets for creating that which the Client said he or she would create.

A creative combination of these

five areas can be beneficial as well!