Coaching vs. Teaching (The Answer Will Surprise You!)

This is probably going to ruffle some feathers - BUT

Coaching is a dirty word for me.

Coaching is nothing more than a fancy word for teaching.

Coaching is also nothing more than having someone teach and direct you on the steps needed to solve your problem - or get you from point A to point B.

When you sign up for coaching, you need to know that you are getting one or more session(s) with a teacher. In individual coaching you are paying for a 1:1 individualized session to have a teacher TEACH you how to solve your problem.

Group coaching is no different. Group coaching is you being in an on-site or virtual class with other participants (aka students) who are solving the same problem as you (at different places on their journey) - but ultimately with a teacher.

This person is your:

• authority

• guide

• cheerleader

• course corrector

• accountability provider and

• an assessor of your skills.

When did we decide that we needed a "coach" instead of a teacher?

When did we start downplaying the role of a teacher to help us solve our problems or reach our goals.

For many, teachers are unable to fill that role because they are seen as instructors of "education" and "school subjects" rather than being able to solve real world problems in specific areas (i.e., tech, healthcare).

Is there any truth to this? Maybe. But I personally believe that:

Coaching became really popular really fast when it was seen as a way to "help people" AND simultaneously make money.

"Coaching" drives revenue.

Teaching? Not so much.

New Bottle. Same Wine.

So when you are looking at that program that you think you MUST sign up for - you need to ask yourself, what am I actually getting?

• Coaches are available generally to help you along the way as you've already viewed their "teaching" videos. Teachers are with you in the trenches every step of the way and will provide live instruction (and replays when you can't make it).

• Coaches in their programs rarely provide accountability. They want you to get involved in their community for that. Teachers expect you to succeed while they guide and help you on your journey. Others are there for support, but the teacher reinforces what you're learning and if what you're learning is on track or not.

• Coaches expect others in the community to help provide support for their curriculum and answers to your questions; Teachers provide their direct experience and answers or if they don't know, they will HELP YOU find the answer.

• Coaches aren't trained to break down curriculum or content into digestible bits so that you can understand what you're learning and how to apply it. They expect you to just get it. Teachers are designers of instruction and are trained to break down complex concepts into digestible formats for learning and understanding.

• Coaches aren't always readily available to help you when you are stuck on content that you don't understand. Teachers are there with you every step of the way and care about your success. Your success is their success.

Now, this is not to say that there aren't good coaches or coaching programs out there.

You just need to make sure that you do your due diligence so that the program you want to participate in gives you everything that you need to support your efforts and to solve the problem that you are paying your hard earned money to solve.

If you are looking for a training program that will help you build and deliver your course, then let's talk today!

That's it for now!

And don't forget, Jeremiah 29:11