Consultant Vs Coach: What's the Difference?

CCG Strategies Q&A Blog: To-the-Point Answers to Common Leadership and Management Consulting Questions

What's the Difference between a Consultant and a Coach?

It's a common question that many business professionals ask.

We're going to answer in less than 30 seconds.

Short Answer: A Consultant solves problems. A Coach Teaches Skills.

Long Answer: Consults and Coaches, while similar, do two completely different things.

Let's Deep Dive.

What is a Consultant?

A Consultant is typically an industry expert who uses data and analytics to review issues and provide remediation steps. Becoming a successful Consultant often requires a bachelor's or master's degree with many employers requiring and preferring an MBA.

Many consultants often have extensive experience in consulting or their areas of expertise. Consultants typically provide solutions, fix problems, and give clients the ability to lead and innovate within their markets.

The best use for a Consultant is for solving big problems.

What is a Coach?

A Coach, on the other hand, is an individual who teaches skills. Coaches do not have a certain experience or education requirement; they often rely on anecdotal or personal experience to make suggestions in their area of knowledge. This advice may or may not be based on industry-leading practices, education, or experience.

Coaches also typically do not review data to create remediation strategies. Instead, they provide common sense lessons that can help improve interpersonal performance when conducted by a qualified Coach.

The best use for a Coach is for improving interpersonal or soft skills.

What's the Difference Between a Consultant and a Coach?

The main difference between a Consultant and a Coach is what you expect from the interaction. A Consultant is going to fix a problem. A Coach will try to teach a new skill. A business may use a Consultant when starting a new department, but use a Coach for maintaining their existing business.

While both Consulting and Coaching have a place in the workplace, they serve two different functions and should be leveraged appropriately. Ensure that you're not using an inexperienced or under-educated Consultant or Coach.

CCG Strategies is a Leadership Management Consulting Firm that has Consultants capable of both consulting and coaching. CCG Strategies also has self-serve options so that you can teach yourself the skills you need at the time you need.

Contact a CCG Consultant Now to See how we can fix a problem or give you skills to improve your business or career.