Sports?
A common analogy is with personal fitness training. We are all capable of going to the gym and exercising - but with a trainer we achieve better definition, greater understanding of our bodies and faster results. Top athletes employ coaches. Why should top individuals not employ a coach to help them achieve greater clarity of their goals and move faster towards their dreams?

Therapy/Counselling?
Therapy or counselling is for people who have problems. They may be suffering from recent emotional difficulties or have unresolved past issues that are affecting their life. Coaching is present and future-focused. It helps individuals to create more of what they want in their life - excellence and success in their terms. Coaching requires action - "What do you want to achieve?" Coaching can offer an excellent means for continuing on your path of self-discovery and growth when you are no longer in crisis.

Training?
Training can provide a range of skills development - presentation skills, communication etc. What training cannot do is create the long term shifts in behaviours and attitudes that are needed to create the flexible workforce for today's business environment. Coaching supports the individual over time and there is more likelihood that new behaviours will be adopted.

Consulting?
Consultants are employed to resolve problems in an organisation and to assist in broad-based organisational change. They focus on the "what" and the "how" of the organisation. They have no long term involvement with the organisation or any stake in the final outcome. Coaching focuses on the "who" - the individual, their concerns and their issues. The primary focus is often behavioural - new skills practised and changes integrated over time.

Best friend?
A best friend can act as a sounding board - but can they ask the difficult questions? A coach is objective with no agenda other than their client's best interests. They can offer insights and challenge the client to grow