Differentiating Coaching from Consulting, Counseling and Mentoring Move this to Resources, to be paired with the Coaching Algorithm sent in email last week. so this leaves nothing left in Q and A as I have added content to other sections. tell me if you see a problem with this.
Coaching, consulting, counseling and mentoring all offer specific expertise in a confidential environment, and it’s not unusual for a client to work with a coach as well as a counselor or consultant, for different purposes. It’s important to recognize the different relationships and intent.
Coaching: A partnership of equals in which the coach brings formal training and expertise in coaching, and facilitates a process to help the client make desired changes. It is future oriented, employs a whole person perspective and presumes the client has the resources needed to change.
Consulting/Advising: Specific subject matter expertise is brought to recommend solutions to issues the client has identified. The consultant’s stance is one of “telling” and recommending .
Counseling: Formal training in addressing long term issues and experiences impacting the client today. The focus is on understanding past experiences that have led to the current situation and creating insights that heal the past, and help the present. The therapist is the “expert”.
Mentoring: Pairing of a more experienced leader with one who is more junior to aid in their development or performance improvement. It involves sharing personal experience and offering professional advice related to the mentor’s own growth and development through specific roles, organizations, and/or areas of accountability.
