COACHING V. COUNSELLING V. FRIENDSHIP

They can sound pretty similar, but there are clear boundaries between them.

Let’s dig in.

A Coach:

• Is a trained and skilled individual with extensive experience in their chosen niche

• Helps individuals go from functional to optional

• Asks thought-provoking, timely and objective questions with the intent of transforming the client’s ideas, goals, and dreams into reality

• Helps clients improve and maximize professional and personal potential and performance (outcomes)

• Detects and brings to light potential blind-spots

• Creates a co-creative relationship with integrated accountability

• Empowers clients to continue improving long after the coaching engagement is over

 A Friend:

• Most often has an invested interest in your outcome but may not have YOUR best interest at heart

• May be led by their agendas and biases, which they are unaware of. For example, your best friend may not want you to move across the country to pursue a new opportunity. They may also want you to continue to work for the soul-sucking employer because you can both enjoy the same lifestyle

• Is subjective, whereas coaches are objective

While we’re here, let’s keep going…

A Consultant:

• Typically, a subject matter expert (SME) in their chosen niche (mine was strategic communication and performance measurement)

• Develops solutions to solve specific problems in a limited timeframe (e.g. rebranding an organization) and—when necessary—help the organization integrate their solution. Once they leave, the organization is still dependent on their expertise 

A therapist:

• Is a sacred professional (IMO) who creates a safe environment for their clients living with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and other clinical issues

• Helps clients cope with their traumatic pasts/family of origins

• Helps clients go from dysfunctional to functional

• Has no clear goal or outcome for each session

As a coach, I’m clear about my boundaries and create clearly defined outcome-driven agreements with clients about what to expect from each session. We get things done on your terms for your terms!