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Consulting, Coaching & Mentoring
You seem to do a lot, what is the difference between consulting, mentoring, and coaching?
The way I like to describe it is that consulting is me telling you want to do, mentoring is me giving you some options and you choosing, whereas coaching is where I facilitate a conversations with you.
All involve good listening skills, empathy and draw on my skills, experience, and knowledge.
How do I know what’s right for me?
Choosing between consulting, mentoring, or coaching depends of what you are trying to achieve and the current situation.
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Here is a breakdown to help you decide what is best for you.
consulting
What it is?
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Consulting involves hiring an expert to provide professional advice in a specific area. Consultants
diagnose problems, offer solutions, and sometimes implement them.
When it's right for you?
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You need specific expertise or technical knowledge that you lack.
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You require a solution to a particular problem.
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You are looking for someone to help implement changes.
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Your focus is on achieving measurable outcomes in a relatively short time.
Benefits:
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Access to specialised knowledge.
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Quick, actionable solutions.
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External perspective on internal issues.
mentoring
What it is?
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Mentoring is a long-term relationship where a more experienced person (mentor) guides a less experienced person (mentee) in their personal and professional development.
When it's right for you?
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You are looking for guidance and advice on career or personal development.
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You seek long-term growth and development.
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You want to learn from someone who has walked a similar path.
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You prefer a relationship-focused approach to development.
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Benefits:
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Ongoing support and guidance.
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Development of a trusted, long-term relationship.
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Personal and professional growth.
Coaching
What it is?
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Coaching involves a professional coach helping you set and achieve personal or professional goals.
Coaches use questioning and goal-setting techniques to unlock potential and improve performance.
When it's right for you?
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You want to improve specific skills or behaviours.
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You need help setting and achieving goals.
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You seek to enhance performance and personal effectiveness.
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You prefer a structured, goal-oriented approach.
Benefits:
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Clarity and focus on achieving specific goals.
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Development of new skills and behaviours.
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Increased self-awareness and personal growth.
how to decide?
To decide which is right for you, consider the following questions:
1. What are your primary needs and goals?
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Consulting: Need expert advice or solutions for specific problems.
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Mentoring: Seeking long-term personal and professional development.
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Coaching: Wanting to achieve specific goals and improve performance.
2. What type of support do you prefer?
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Consulting: External, expert advice and solutions.
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Mentoring: Relationship-based guidance and support.
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Coaching: Structured, goal-oriented facilitation and development.
3. What is the desired duration of the engagement?
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Consulting: Short to medium-term, project based.
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Mentoring: Long-term, ongoing relationship.
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Coaching: Can be short to long-term, depending on goals.
4. What is your budget and resources?
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Consulting: Often high cost, especially for specialised expertise.
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Mentoring: An investment in your professional and personal development, must be considered against the benefits gained.
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Coaching: Varies but can be a significant investment.
5. How do you prefer to measure success?
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Consulting: Tangible outcomes and solutions.
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Mentoring: Personal growth and career progression.
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Coaching: Achievement of specific goals and improvement in performance.
By answering these questions, you can better understand which approach aligns with your needs and circumstances. In most cases my clients are clear about their need for consulting, but seem to prefer a combination of mentoring and coaching.
Discover how my expertise has empowered leaders and transformed teams.
"Getting leadership right improves productivity and performance!"