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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Counselor, Consultant, Life Coach. What's the difference?

     I was recently asked the difference between a Life Coach and a consultant. I decided to add counselor into the equation too.
     Say you decide to go take some flying lessons and you attain a private pilot license. You then take a counselor flying. The flight is magnificent but being a new pilot a couple small mistakes were made. He was thoughtful and details his ideas about why the mistakes were made and gives you some input about how to do things differently on future flights. He may also ask some difficult questions concerning the origin of your lack of rudder control and why the plane feels like it is sliding sideways through the sky.  He wants you to understand what in your past has caused you to neglect keeping a careful eye on the turn coordinator. All while he throws in a few "hmmmm's" and "ahhh's" and "how did that make you feels?"
     You then take the consultant up and as before there were a few mistakes but nothing life threatening, you are in fact a good pilot just lacking experience. The consultant however notices your lack of rudder input as you bank over the city and he takes the controls. He carefully explains what you were doing wrong as he lands the plane. As he prepares to leave he gives you a three ring binder filled with all of his findings and concise suggestions on how to improve.
     It is now the coaches turn and you have a grin on your face and relief in your heart as he says, "This is great, where are we going to go? Do you want me to help navigate? Maybe help you keep an eye out for other planes? Do you have a map? Lets do this, it's gonna be a blast!"
     That's the difference. Perhaps a bit trite, and often there may be a few slight overlaps but you get the picture.

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