The Difference Between Coaching and Consulting: Creating Space for Transformation
Many prospective clients ask me, "What's the difference between coaching and consulting?" While both have their place in leadership development, the approaches couldn’t be more different. Consulting is about providing answers and solutions — it's directive, often based on expertise and strategy. Coaching on the other hand is about creating a space for reflection and discovery, where the real transformation happens within the client.
As an executive coach, I’ve learned that coaching goes far beyond just fixing problems. It’s a process of increasing awareness and helping clients think differently. The goal is not to provide answers but to facilitate a generative thinking space where leaders can explore their own insights, challenges, and emotions. It’s within this space that leaders grow and find their own solutions, which are often more powerful and lasting than anything handed to them.
The Neuroscience of Coaching
One of the biggest distinctions in coaching is the role of emotions. Neuroscience has shown us that emotions, not just logic, drive decision-making. Antonio Damasio’s ground-breaking work in Descartes' Error revealed that emotions are not just a part of decision-making; they are essential to it. His research showed that people who suffer damage to the emotional centers of their brain can logically describe a decision-making process but struggle to actually make decisions. This highlights how deeply emotions influence our choices, even when we believe we're being purely rational. In coaching, acknowledging this emotional dimension is crucial, because it allows leaders to tap into a more holistic understanding of themselves and their decisions.
In my own practice, I’ve come to embrace this fully. Early on, I focused too much on the “what” of decision-making—the outcomes, strategies, and goals. But I soon realized the need to go deeper, to explore the “who” behind the decisions. Today, I encourage leaders to tap into their emotions to reach greater clarity and to recognize the vulnerability that comes with growth, because that’s where real transformation takes place.
Coaching versus Consulting
Where consulting tells, coaching asks. It creates a partnership, grounded in trust and introspection. Through the use of Socratic dialogue I facilitate, clients come to their own realizations and take ownership of their growth. The journey to deeper self-awareness can be challenging as it requires the exploration of our own vulnerability. But the rewards are profound.
Whether I’m working with a team using Belbin Team Roles to improve dynamics, or coaching an executive through complex negotiations, my focus is always on helping clients think differently, rather than just giving them the "right" answer.
So, if you’re a leader, ask yourself: Are you seeking quick solutions, or are you ready to explore the deeper questions that can lead to lasting change? How are you creating the space for transformational thinking — not just for your team, but for yourself?
