I raised this question with an online group recently. What IS the difference between a Coach and a Consultant?
You see most of the people in the group are Coaches. But I see myself as a Consultant, not a Coach. And that got us talking.
What do you think the difference is? It’s clearer in my mind now, but here were some of the suggestions.
A coach helps in defining and refining the clients intended results. Then designs a plan, and engages appropriate processes to affect higher awareness and move them forward, holding them accountable for the work to be done. A coach doesn’t necessarily need to be an expert in the particular field, though it is helpful.
A consultant is by definition an expert in their particular field. The intended result is usually brought to the table, so there is less discovery process. It is usually “you want this, these are your resources, this is your timeline, so do this”.
The biggest difference is accountability. How about this?
A Consultant does the work for their client (is a specialist in the clients field/industry) (dependant on the Consultant) and A Coach provides the tools and guidance to empower the client to do it themselves so they can learn to do it themselves.
or this…
A Coach possesses specific coaching competencies (gained through relevant training) whereas a Consultant is a broader term describing someone who offers their professional services in various capacities.
So Which Hat Are You Wearing?
Look, the definitions from my group were solid, but I think there’s a simpler way to think about this.
When someone hires a coach, they’re essentially saying “help me figure this out.” The coach asks questions, holds space, pushes back when needed. The client does the heavy lifting. A life coach working with a stressed-out marketing director doesn’t need to know anything about marketing—they need to know about helping people get unstuck.
When someone hires a consultant, they’re saying “tell me what to do” or even “just do it for me.” They want the answer. They want the blueprint. A guy running logistics for a furniture company who brings me in to fix his warehouse layout isn’t looking for self-discovery. He wants someone who’s seen fifty warehouses and knows what works.
The thing is, these roles blur constantly in practice. I’ve had plenty of consulting engagements where I ended up doing more coaching than advising—helping a leadership team work through their own resistance to change rather than just handing them a report. And I know coaches who bring serious industry expertise to their sessions.
Why It Matters for Your Business Model
Here’s where the distinction becomes practical: coaching and consulting businesses operate differently.
Coaching tends toward recurring sessions, often weekly or monthly. The relationship is ongoing because the work is ongoing. Revenue is more predictable but often lower per engagement.
Consulting usually means project-based work with defined deliverables. Higher fees per project, but you’re constantly selling the next one. More feast-or-famine unless you structure retainers carefully.
Neither is better. But you need to know which you’re building because it affects everything—your pricing, your marketing, how you structure your time, what you promise in proposals.
I’m definitely a Consultant! Which one are you?