What is coaching?

The International Coach Federation (ICF) defines coaching as "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential." A coach is a collaborative partner, not a hired expert. A coach is not a consultant, mentor, counselor, or adviser because he or she is non-directive. We say [...]

By |2017-01-09T14:33:34-06:00April 19th, 2014||

What is the difference between coaching and counseling?

Counselors and therapists are, like consultants, hired for their expertise. They have specialized training in such things as healthy communication, good parenting, effective social skills, mental/emotional & spiritual health, and the like. They are skilled in uncovering underlying reasons for dysfunction and debilitating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and other mood and thought disorders. Coaching [...]

By |2017-01-09T14:33:34-06:00February 28th, 2014||

What is the difference between coaching and consulting/mentoring?

Consultants are hired because of their expertise in a given area. They provide information and give direction and advice to clients. By contrast, coaches do not necessarily have expertise in an area in which a client wants to grow. Their role, instead, is to ask powerful, probing questions which enable clients to discover their own [...]

By |2017-01-09T14:33:34-06:00February 28th, 2014||

What is the difference between coaching and discipleship?

As with consultants, counselors, and mentors, a discipler has considerable experience from which to draw in helping persons make desired change. A Christian who disciples is mature in the faith and is able to impart that faith to others - to instruct them in the tenets of our faith, its moral code, spiritual disciplines of [...]

By |2017-01-09T14:33:34-06:00April 19th, 2014||

Why do people hire a coach?

People seek a coach because they want growth. The work is not problem-focused, per se. There should be no particular dysfunctions or diagnostic issues that need healing - that is the work of therapy and counseling. Coaching clients have specific goals/dreams/visions toward which they feel drawn, and they desire to discern these more clearly and [...]

By |2017-01-09T14:33:34-06:00February 28th, 2014||