Coaching vs. Therapy

copyright © 1997, thomas j. leonard

  • Coaching is about achievement; therapy is about healing.
  • Coaching is about action; therapy is about understanding.
  • Coaching is about transformation; therapy s about change.
  • Coaching is about momentum; therapy is about safety.
  • Coaching is about intuition; therapy is about feelings.
  • Coaching is about joy; therapy is about happiness.
  • Coaching is about performance; therapy is about progress.
  • Coaching is about synchronicity; therapy is about timing.
  • Coaching is about attraction; therapy is about protection.
  • Coaching is about creating; therapy is about resolving.

Coaching vs. 7 Other Professions
— Coaching is Distinct, Yet Includes Aspects of Other Professions

copyright © 1997, thomas j. leonard

1. PERSONAL COACHING vs. THERAPY

  • Focus is on what's good and working and how to make it better vs. what's wrong and why.
  • Coaching calls for lots of action and immediate movement now vs. just primarily discussion.
  • Coaching is perfection-directed vs progress-oriented.
  • Based on what's wanted and possible vs. what happened.
  • Coaching moves person from Functional to Extraordinary vs. therapy, from Dysfunction to Functional.

2. BUSINESS COACHING vs. BUSINESS CONSULTING

  • Focus is on whole company's development / opportunities, not just immediate problem-solving.
  • Focus is on immediate, sustainable profits vs. just growth.
  • Focus on skills training, empowerment vs. just answer-giving.
  • Coach makes huge request vs. just give recommendations. Experimentation vs. Accuracy.
  • Client must report to the coach regularly vs. not so to the consultant.
  • Relationship-based vs. information-based. (Who and what-based vs. just what-based.)
  • Evoking vs. giving answers.

    • 3. PERSONAL COACHING vs. SPORTS COACHING

    • Focus is more on skill development and experimentation than just winning.
    • Style is interdevelopmental vs. dependency / following-based.
    • Strengthening the individual more than the team.

    4. COACHING vs. MINISTERING

    • Focus is on self-responsibility vs. faith, hope, trust in an external being.
    • Empathy vs. sympathy.
    • Problem elimination vs. problem-solving.

    5. COACHING vs. FRIENDSHIP

    • Friends have a vested interest in you remaining their friend; they won't push you much.
    • Friends don't have the perspective or advanced training to develop you.
    • Friends aren't always fully honest because they don't really want you to do the same.

    6. PERSONAL COACHING vs. PARENTING

    • The coach is accountable for their coaching, not responsible for the client; parents must do both.
    • The client chooses their coach willingly and strives to make the relationship well; kids happen.
    • The coach and client are working on advanced adult stuff, not child-reading stuff; different focus.

    7. PERSONAL COACHING vs. SELF MANAGEMENT

    • It's too much work to try to manage yourself and keep self-motivated. Client's time is worth more.
    • Blind spots are a problem with self-management / Lone Ranger mentality. Coach can be insurance.
    • It's lonely on one's own particularly if you're growing quickly or accomplishing a lot.

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    Why the Personal Coach Field is Growing
    — The Demand for Coaches and Coaching is Increasing

    copyright © 1997, thomas j. leonard

    1. PEOPLE WANT IT ALL, NOW, WITHOUT WAITING OR PAYING A HIGH PRICE

    • Advertising has prompted increased desire for things; education has not shown people how to get them.
    • People unwilling to experience steep learning curve (self-discovery).
    • People unwilling to use old technology to get what they want (slide rule vs. calculator).

    2. (ALMOST) TOO MANY CHOICES IN LIFE

    • We're now more wants-driven vs. needs- or shoulds-driven.
    • Traditional institutions (church, government, Fortune 500, core family) are losing influence..
    • People don't know on what basis to choose or how to get what they really want.

    3. IT'S SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE TO USE A PROFESSIONAL EXPERT

    • People proudly wear their experts (therapists, house cleaners, coaches, assistants) like a badge.
    • People have experts in business now; it's okay, personally. No embarrassment or "less-than."

    4. IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A MODEL

    • Better to emulate and "get" vs. just understand and try to mimic copy.
    • People need someone who'll get them through stuff quickly; continue to give perspective.
    • People grow faster with a clean mirror.

    5. HQL (HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE) IS BECOMING A NATIONAL PRIORITY

    • Just enough or better than our parents is no longer good enough for many people.
    • People are unwilling to wait, earn the right, suffer or tolerate in order to get ahead.

    6. PEOPLE WANT TO BE ALL THEY CAN BE

    • People recognize they have gifts and they want to reorient around them; not around other things.
    • People are unwilling to wait or not have what they see that they can have.

    7. PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL CONNECTED

    • They recognize the need for advanced communication, listening, languaging and relating skills.
    • The relationship they have with their coach can become a model for true intimacy with others.

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