Sometimes when discussing coaching competencies, the words “coach” and “counselor” are used interchangeably. However, they are NOT the same thing.

What is the Difference Between a Coach and a Counselor?

A counselor is someone who has specific expertise in a certain type of business or industry. Coaches work for a broader range of clients and generally have a wider range of knowledge in more areas than a counselor.

Counselors diagnose problems with a company’s organization, structure, and work flow. They then analyze the results and provide solutions on a client’s behalf. Coaches also provide analysis, though it is not an as specific to a certain company or industry. However, they usually do not provide all the solutions; instead they provide you with the tools needed to answer your own questions, draw your own conclusions, and chart your own course toward advancement, achievement, and success.

Counselors will set goals for you and your company. Coaches will help you figure out what your goals are and use their coaching expertise and knowledge to help you define, clarify, and achieve those goals..

Coaching Competencies: What Coaches are NOT

Coaches are not:

• Teachers
• Trainers
• Therapists
• COUNSELORS

Coaching Competencies: What Coaches ARE

Coaches are:

• Facilitators
• Motivators
• Inspirational speakers
• NOT counselors

According to a 2011 survey on executive coaching done by Sherpa Executive Coaching, coaching is being employed by many companies as a leadership development tool. As a coach, your coaching competency is in demand, so it is good to know how you differ from a counselor.

When learning various coaching competencies it might be good to give a little allegorical story that illustrates the difference between coaching and counseling.

Mr. Smith wants to lean how to fly a plane. He first hires a counselor to help him. The counselor comes by with an a manual on how to fly a plane, Flying a Plane for Dummies, or something similar. The counselor goes through the book in detail and tells Mr. Smith everything there is to know about the workings and operation of a plane. The counselor also relates his experiences as a pilot and then sets a date a few months in the future to see how Mr. Smith made out with flying his plane.

Mr. Smith next hires a coach to help him learn to fly. The coach goes with him into the plane, sit with him, and encourages and supports him while he learns all about the operation of the plane. The coach then makes certain Mr. Smith knows where to find all the right answers to any questions. When he is ready, the coach encourages him to take his first flight, with all proper precautions, and supports him when he takes that maiden flight.

Mr. Smith looks back at his experience and decides that both the counselor and the coach have value and specific competencies, but it was the coach who provided the inspiration and the “coaching” he needed to get in the cockpit and achieve his dream by becoming a pilot.

When discussing coaching competencies and the definition of coaching, remember that, as a coach, you facilitate, motivate, and inspire people to reach their goals and dreams. Be a coach; not a counselor!

Fred Philips
Business Coach
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