Different Kinds of Coaching?

 I often get asked what’s the difference between an Executive Coach, a Career Coach and a Life Coach?  Here’s my take.

It’s less about the Coach’s specialty and more about the kind of coaching being requested and by whom.

I’m the kind of coach who coaches the whole person. No matter what position that person may be at in their life or career…. and that client is the one with the answers. 

So in fact, whether my client is a senior executive, or in the midst of a career change or is looking for enhanced fulfillment in some other aspect of their life… as a trained, professional coach, it’s my job to see them as creative, resourceful and whole.  Nothing’s broken.  Nothing needs fixing. The client is the expert on themselves.  My job is to partner with them to explore and navigate their choices towards some achievement of their desired results.

That said, I haven’t really answered the question, have I?  So here’s a short answer:  the difference is that a senior leader or a high potential manager often seeks coaching for enhanced learning or performance.    A client coming for career coaching is often seeking fulfillment and clarity around their career path and choices they want to make.  And life coaching clients are often seeking self learning and fulfillment in areas other than their career.  And a good coach, no matter their specialty, can help facilitate the movement that the client seeks, through the coaching relationship, the conversation and process over time.  And that’s where the magic begins and continues!