Coaching vs. Consulting: A Tale of Two Conversations

To see the difference, let’s look at John.

John is a 28-year-old Software Engineer. He’s at a stable company, but he’s bored. He’s ready for a fresh, exciting opportunity, but he’s not sure which direction to turn. He decides to seek professional help.

Scenario 1: The Consultant

John hires Ed, a seasoned consultant with 20+ years in the tech industry. Ed has seen it all—he’s worked with startups, giants, and everything in between.

John explains his situation, his frustrations, and his skills. He pauses and asks: “Ed, what do you think I should do?”

Because Ed is an expert, he has an answer ready. He analyzes John’s resume, looks at current market trends, and says: “Given your background in backend systems and the current growth in Fintech, you should target Series B startups in that sector. Here are three companies you should call, and here is exactly how you should re-word your CV to get their attention.”

John leaves the meeting with a Strong Suggestion. He has a map drawn by someone else.

Scenario 2: The Coach

John hires Mike, a coach who also has 20+ years of tech experience. John explains the exact same situation and asks the exact same question: “Mike, what do you think I should do?”

Even though Mike likely has just as many "answers" as Ed, he doesn't offer them. Instead, Mike looks at John and asks: “If you were to fast-forward three years and you felt completely energized by your work, what would you be doing that you aren't doing now?”

Through a series of open-ended questions and future-scenarios, Mike helps John reflect on his own values. They discover that John isn't just looking for a "new job"—he’s looking for leadership responsibility he’s been too afraid to ask for. Together, they build an action plan that John owns.

John leaves the meeting with Clarity and Commitment. He has a map he drew himself.

The Simple Distinction

While both Ed and Mike are experts, they provide value in opposite ways:

• The Consultant (Ed) provides the Answer. You hire him for his experience so he can tell you what to do. The value is in his Subject Matter Expertise.
• The Coach (Mike) provides the Process. He uses his experience to ask the right questions so you can decide what to do. The value is in your Increased Capability.

Which one do you need?

If you want a shortcut based on someone else’s success, hire a consultant. If you need a specific technical solution—like a better resume or a market analysis—Ed is your guy.

But if you want to ensure that your next move is actually aligned with your goals, and if you want to build the "muscles" to make these decisions for the rest of your career, you need a Mike.

Consulting is about the Plan. Coaching is about the Person.