Coaching, Consulting, Training, & development - What’s the difference?

Author: Melissa Stewart, PCC

Date Published: 4/4/2024

We offer a variety of services at Thoughtfully Formed, predominantly leadership coaching, consulting, training, and development. It is helpful to understand the differences so you can consider the best service for you and/or your team. Want to further discuss how we can help? Email us at thoughtfullyformed@gmail.com or contact us today for a free discovery call.

The Short and Sweet Version

1.     Coaching is a holistic, collaborative relationship that focuses on helping people move forward toward fulfillment and desired goals through curious, thought-provoking conversation. It is a creative process that aims to unlock potential and tap into a client’s imagination to guide them toward greater fulfillment and possibilities.

2.     Consulting offers expertise in a particular area or industry through data analysis, research, and direct observation. This service provides evidence-driven advice and methods for improving or designing something within the organization for a specific outcome.

3.     Training aims to educate on a specific job-related skill or bring skills up-to-date. Development is ongoing training that enhances overall personal and professional performance.   

The Detailed Version

Coaching

Coaching is a holistic, collaborative relationship that focuses on helping people move forward toward fulfillment and desired goals through curious, thought-provoking conversation. It is a creative process that aims to unlock potential and tap into a client’s imagination to guide them toward greater fulfillment and possibilities. Coaching cultivates the client’s ability to make choices and change versus simply offering advice.

Coaching can take place on an individual basis or in a group format. The conversation is built on trust and is direct and personal. The client chooses an agenda or topic – based on the overall desired goals and outcomes – and the sessions are structured to address that agenda. The coach listens intently and asks questions to guide the client through deeper reflection so they may find the answers they are looking for. The coach views each client as naturally creative, resourceful, and whole and fully able to dig deep to find the answers, solutions, and motivation they seek.

Coaching with Thoughtfully Formed

Thoughtfully Formed offers individual and group coaching for church, para-ministry, and non-profit staff. It is also weaved into consulting and training services as well. Coaching may focus on improving leadership skills, acclimating to a new role, transitioning roles, preparing for retirement, spiritual and emotional formation and growth, addressing stress or anxiety, preventing burnout, general wellness, working through staff challenges, building staff cohesion, and more.

Group coaching is part of our training and consulting packages which enhances the growth and success of change initiatives. We offer individual coaching packages for you or anyone on your staff or as an employee benefit to the entire staff. All coaching takes place either by Zoom video or by phone.

*Disclosure: coaching is not therapy. We do not provide mental health diagnoses or treat mental health diagnoses as this is outside of the scope of coaching. Thoughtfully Formed holds to a strict code of ethics as designed by the International Coach Federation.

**Coaching is not typically successful for people who have been issued a performance improvement plan (PIP). While there are exceptions, coaching should not be used as a last resort for employee performance problems. Thoughtfully Formed is happy to help you address performance concerns through other means.

Consulting

Consulting offers expertise in a particular area or industry through data analysis, research, and direct observation. This service provides evidence-driven advice and methods for improving or designing something within the organization for a specific outcome. Consulting is focused on helping to solve a problem or design a structure that will move the organization forward in its mission.

Consulting with Thoughtfully Formed

Thoughtfully formed offers organizational consulting for churches, para-ministries, and non-profits. We focus on leadership, organizational design and structure, staff health, culture, mission strategy, succession planning, and more. We will discuss and assess your needs and design a customized, data-driven, people-centered plan to help you reach your change initiatives and stay true to your mission. Consulting packages include discussions with key leaders to identify needs and goals, a clear plan of agreed-upon action, group and individual coaching while implementing initiatives, and related training. We help you communicate your plan to your staff and community and guide you through entire the change process. We also offer ad hoc brainstorming sessions with key strategic leaders. Examples of brainstorming sessions may include solving small to medium problems, discussing how to create a new ministry arm or department, or designing an event. Consulting services are typically offered virtually or in a hybrid format.

*We do not help any organization cover up abuse of any kind. We will help you address it in a Jesus-honoring way and advocate for victims.

Training and Development

Training and development are often used interchangeably however, there are differences. Training aims to educate on a specific job-related skill or bring skills up to date. Development is ongoing training that enhances overall personal and professional performance.  Both services greatly enhance the success of team members and your organization.

Training and Development at Thoughtfully Formed

We offer a variety of training and development options for churches, para-ministries, and non-profits. We also create custom options just for you. We offer short 1-hour training and development sessions, half-day, whole-day, or multi-day options. These sessions are typically offered over Zoom video, but in-person options are also available. Topics may include emotional health, serving people who are deconstructing or questioning their faith institution, serving those who have been abused in a church setting, leadership skills, diversity, innovative leadership, leader as coach, stress management, personality and giftings for staff cohesion, communication techniques, conflict resolution, and more.

Want to further discuss how we can help? Email us at thoughtfullyformed@gmail.com or contact us today for a free discovery call.