In honor of National Women's Small Business Month, I'm sharing the answers to the questions you ask most often. If you consider getting help to stay motivated, set strategic goals, and make the most of the end of the year, you must invest in the right support.
You must understand the difference between coaching and other professional services such as therapy or counseling, consulting, and mentoring.
Coaching focuses on where you are now and where you want to go to help you gain clarity about your vision, overcome obstacles to your success, and achieve results that empower you to live your best life – professionally and personally. Coaching helps you achieve the results you want by holding you accountable for taking consistent action.
We can focus on any area of your life: relationships, finances, spiritual life, career, or physical health.
Coaching vs. Counseling- While coaching is forward-focused, a mental health therapist focuses on your past issues where you may find yourself stuck and struggling. We may occasionally discuss something that has occurred in the past to clarify the present, but your coaching will not focus on resolving the past.
A simple rule of thumb to know whether you should be coaching or counseling: Counseling is your best option if your past is an issue.
If your past is simply a fact (regardless of whether the circumstances were difficult or negative), you are probably ready for coaching.
If it appears that there is an issue for which you may need counseling, I will suggest it. With the support of a counselor or therapist, some individuals choose to engage in coaching and counseling simultaneously but focusing on different areas of life for each service.
Coaching vs. Mentoring- As a coach, I focus on personal development, productivity, establishing resources like finding the right mentor and developing your unique path.
A mentor gives your specific advice based on their experience. This is a person who can help you navigate industry-specific challenges. If my professional experience (in the areas of corporate leadership, diversity, public relations, or entrepreneurship) benefits you personally and professionally, I will gladly share what I know. As an executive coach, I am more interested in helping you find the unique and divinely ordained path that is meant for you – which does not have to be the path I have taken, although our paths may be very similar.
Coaching vs. Consulting - A consultant takes responsibility for a specific project, acting as a specialist, providing specific deliverables and knowledge. In addition to executive coaching, I provide consulting services in my areas of expertise, communications, strategic engagement, leadership development, and creating CSR plans through my company, Leverette Weekes.
As a coaching client, YOU are responsible for setting your action steps and achieving results at your pace. I believe in your ability to fully experience your potential and provide a safe, consistent space for you to develop your potential. In our monthly or weekly sessions, I'll help you discover how to think differently to become the person you need to be.
YOU ARE WORTH YOUR TIME! If you are ready to work with me, use the code LW on GettingUnstuckGuide.com for $500 off our one on one coaching program. The Getting Unstuck package includes your Insight Discovery assessment, live coaching, and access to our self-paced Getting Unstuck Academy and monthly Q&A sessions.
I'm here to help,
Meredith