Episode 083
Decoding the Consultant vs Coach Dilemma –
Part 1: What to Call Yourself and Why it Matters

SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE

Consulting and coaching are both focused on helping to solve problems, and bringing about change and improvement. So why do we talk about the consultant vs coach dilemma?

The difference between a consultant and a coach as a professional identity is not really about what is achieved, but how it is achieved. Yet, I feel there are some nuances that aren’t as easily explained by the typical distinction of a directive vs non-directive approach.

Choosing a professional identity in business is not just a nuance – it can be critically important. That’s because what you call yourself predicates the approaches we take when working with clients.

Deciding to call yourself consultant vs coach can significantly impact your success attracting the right clients to your business. Likewise, if you’re looking for business support, which one would you be more inclined to look for?

But what if you choose to see the consultant vs coach dilemma as an opportunity or choice rather than as rigid or a tension?

In this two-part series, we’ll explore the consultant vs coach “dilemma” through the lens of professional identity and what it means for your business practice and your clients’ understanding of what you do for them.

In this first part 1, for this episode, I’ll be talking about choosing the right label for your brand positioning, this is something you’ll need to consider carefully.

First, we will look into what the main differences are between consulting and coaching, what exactly is behind the consultant vs. coach dilemma, and why it matters. Second, you’ll learn four key practices you can use in your client relationship that can enable you to move seamlessly between roles when working with a client.

RESOURCES & SUPPORT

• Jay’s book: Leveraged Consulting in the Digital Age
• The Leveraged Business Accelerator program  

Would you like to work with me over the next few months? (or longer of course!)

• Do you want to get clarity on your business idea and run a pilot program or service?
• Do you need to inject some momentum in your business game plan?
• Are you looking for specific ways to accelerate your growth, such as pump up the volume on your marketing, have more effective sales calls, raise your prices or scale your delivery?

My 90-day Leveraged Business Accelerator is all about finding the strategy that's going to really move the needle and up-level your business and grow your revenue.