I don’t believe there are many people that haven’t noticed the term Coaching being increasingly used in the workplace. In reality, the term is often used to mean Training. Which is absolutely not the same thing. The question therefore is: what’s the difference?
What is the Difference?
There is a clear distinction between Coaching (in the sense that I would call myself a Coach), and Training. In the workplace, it’s vital to know the difference. Hopefully this will help you to do that.
As usual, I like to begin with a definition. We’ll define both, describe them and then compare the application of both in the workplace.
Coaching: The activity of helping someone achieve their goals.
Training: The action of teaching a person or animal a particular skill or type of behaviour.
Coaching
In essence, Coaching is about helping somebody to utilise their own resources in order to progress. To be more specific, supporting the client or employee to move from a place of dissatisfaction in a particular life or career situation – to a place of satisfaction.
The Coach can generally be considered as a thinking partner. Through his/her curiosity, they will challenge the client through questioning, to help them unravel whatever it is that’s preventing them moving toward their desired outcome(s). These obstacles tend to be internal. That’s to say, a belief, habit or attitude that is hindering their progress. It’s crucial to note, that the Coach never gives advice.
The route to achieving the desired outcomes is broken down into specific goals. The goals themselves will be scrutinised by the Coach so that the client can validate his/her own approach. In addition, any challenges, or support will be identified and further interrogated.
Through this process of setting and achieving goals, the wider ambition is reached.
Training
Training is the process of providing the client or employee with the resources to accomplish a specific skill, or level of ability therein. It is basically teaching. The client will receive guidance and gain knowledge with which he can deepen the skill being taught.
The act of training can be provided by an expert or indeed can be achieved by oneself through material provided by an expert. Any resources required are usually provided by the Trainer.
In a general sense, there is nothing stopping the client from achieving the desired skill other than his or her own efforts, aptitude and will to do so. Any internal obstacles aren’t considered because they are usually irrelevant. This is of course, unless the subject being trained specifically requires some introspective reflection.
Use in the Workplace
Naturally both concepts have their uses in the modern workplace. Coaching in it’s correct application is relatively new in many companies and is yet to really establish itself in this form. It is fair to say, that firms mean well when they propose Coaching, but in essence this is training under a different label.
When applied properly, Coaching allows the employee autonomy to explore his/her own resources in order to find a way toward a specific outcome. A change of process or even job can be the result of the exercise.
For this, a qualified or experienced Coach is required, in addition to the employer’s firm commitment to establish a coaching culture. This is contrary to a traditional approach where the path is already there to be followed via learning. This, leads us to…
Training. In many workplaces, Training is a way of ensuring that employees are competent to do a specific job to the level required by the firm or industry. Training is also provided by a qualified or experienced person, with material designed to teach the recipient.
The act of training is not usually designed to move an employee from a place of dissatisfaction to one of satisfaction. At least not on a personal level. The explicit assumption is that the recipient of Training is happy to do so.
Training is both an accepted and often vital way to improve performance in a workplace. More skilled workers are directly translated into better results for the employer. Greater skills mean greater efficiencies.
Coaching, on the other hand works in a more fundamental and personal way. The overall benefits are achieved through improved personal contentment, which in turn drives greater performance and efficiencies.
To find out more on this topic, look out for my new YouTube channel. Watch this space for more details.
Until next time,
Your Coach Ben
