You realize you have a problem and you need to fix it. You don't know exactly what is wrong but you know that your business really needs some help.

Are you unsure if you should hire a coach or a consultant?

It is important to know the differences between the two because there are certainly significant differences between consulting and coaching.

Consultants usually specialize in one particular field of expertise, whether it be accounting, technology, staffing, marketing or any one of many other components of a business.

An independent outside consultant will analyze and look at your business and determine weak spots, strong points and identify missing elements and gaps. They will then propose a plan and a cost. If hired the consultant will either tell you what needs to be done or in many cases do it for you.

What a consultant cannot do is help you transform your business into being successful if the problem is you. Most consultants don't focus on people and in fact can benefit from a coach themselves.

A coach is a facilitator of growth and change. The role of the coach is to help you and through you they can make a difference in your business and your life.

Hiring a coach doesn't mean you have serious problems. Hiring a coach means you are aware that if you make certain improvements in your behaviors and core beliefs, your chances of being successful will increase dramatically.

To simplify, a consultant will advise their clients on how to solve the problem while a coach helps guide the client to their own conclusions.

Consultants are focused on the results whereas coaches are focused on the individual.

You hire a consultant to produce a certain outcome and you hire a coach to support and guide you to achieve the outcome yourself.

Metaphorically, a consultant gives you a fish and feeds you a meal, while a coach teaches you to fish so you can feed yourself indefinitely.

There is a time and place for both coaching and consulting. In fact some coaches offer "consultative coaching" which is a subtle combination of both. So as they walk with you along the path to success, sometimes they take the lead.

Which ever road you choose, remember to enjoy the journey.

To your success!

Author's Bio: 

David Mason is president of Mason Performance Development Inc., a Speaker, Trainer, Performance Development Coach and internationally best-selling author.

Find out more about David and how he can improve your results and be sure to take the complimentary Coaching Assessment at www.YourBigProfits.com

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