The distinction between a consultant and a coach lies in their respective approaches. A business coach takes the approach of developing you as a leader in your business, while a business consultant takes a more specialized, practical approach and provides specific solutions for their own company. Coaching usually involves the coach working one-on-one with a client, while consulting often involves working with multiple people within a team, department, or company. The most significant difference between coaching and consulting is who has the power in the relationship.
In consultation, the consultant has the power, while in coaching the client has the power. A consultant has the answers, while a coach helps their client find their own answers. Although both coaching and consulting strive to achieve the same result, coaches typically work with individuals, while consultants work with companies or groups of people. Consulting requires the consultant to have experience in the area that the client seeks to learn and grow.
Brigitte Odgers-Jewell explains how consultants differ from coaches: “The consultant will provide answers and solutions to the particular situation they have been committed to addressing. Rather, consulting often requires the consultant to provide technical knowledge relevant to the client's industry.”The main difference between coaching and consulting is that coaching draws answers from the client, while the consultant tells them what to do. One of the main differences between a coach and a consultant is that a coach will encourage you to do your best, while a business consultant will identify the tasks that need to be done for you to achieve your goals.
