SHOULD YOU HIRE A COACH OR A CONSULTANT
Should you hire a coach or not. Grant Schneider has some interesting things in his blog.
There is a difference between a consultant and a coach. Which one do you need? That depends on what you need. You should know the difference before you hire either one. Coaches and consultants both help facilitate personal development. However, their approaches are very different.
A coach works with individual clients to help them achieve results and sustain life-changing behaviors in both their personal and professional lives. Coaches address the whole person, with an emphasis on uncovering blind spots and producing right action that leads to more fulfillment, more balance, and more effective processes for living. Coaches do not tell their clients what course of action to take. Instead, they ask questions. They help them to look inside themselves so that the client can maximize potential not only in business but other areas of life. A coach works with individuals, primarily by listening and asking questions over an extended, open-ended time period. The coach builds a relationship and establishes a connection with the client. The goal is to help the client discover the right actions and to take those actions.
On the other hand, a consultant is a problem solver. A consultant has the prescription for your problem. Their underlying message is, “I’m the expert. I’ll tell you what’s wrong and how to fix it.” Generally, the goal for consulting is to maximize sales and profits. There are times when people really need a consultant because they require the knowledge and direction.Here is an example to illustrate the difference between a coach and a consultant:
Suppose you are teaching a child to ride a bicycle. If you were to take the consultant approach you would start with PowerPoint sides explaining the aerodynamics and balance. Then you would instruct the child step by step on what to do next. Observing the child as a consultant you would then analyze what the child is doing wrong and explainhow to correct it.
A coach will hold the bicycle as the child gets on but then he will encourage the child. He will gradually remove his hands from the bicycle. The child will waver and yes, the child will fall. But the coach will encourage the child to get up again and express confidence in the child's ability to ride the bike. The next time the child goes farther and doesn’t fall as soon. Then...the child really gets the hang of it. Nothing is stopping the child. A life changing experience has occurred.
As with these examples a great consultant can help you get things done. A great coach can enable people to make major changes in their business and their life.
If you are looking to make your Westchester NY business thrive please contact me.
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies
914-953-4458
Grant Schneider,
CBC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP**Certified Business Coach,
Senior Professional in Human ResourcesPresident, Founder
& Leadership Coach
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