First things first –– coaching and training shouldn’t be used interchangeably (more importantly, they can’t be). Both terms have their particular use cases. And if you want to know which one is used when, you’re in the right place at the right time.
Clients have many tools at their disposal to boost their skills, knowledge, and personal growth. And by combining introspection, study, and persistence, they can achieve their full potential. Coaching and training are two standard methods on the road to personal improvement.
Coaching takes an individual approach, while training is more comprehensive in scope. When used in conjunction, they help people improve their overall outlook and enhance an organization’s culture.
Dive in to learn the differences and similarities between coaching and training, which will help you advise clients when to pursue each.
What is coaching?
Coaching promotes development and self-awareness. It encourages individuals to value the present instead of the future. Coaches rely on their unique expertise to educate their clients and push them toward their individual goals. The meaning of coaching goes beyond basic commands and tasks –– it asks clients to introspect, solve problems, and reflect on performance. A good coach serves as a friend and guide by listening to clients' thoughts and fears, then offers relevant solutions to endure and excel.
Coaches develop their client bases through one-on-one sessions, offering specialized information, emotional support, and a game plan for success––all of which allow clients to work smarter, not harder, and reap every benefit resulting from their efforts. During that process, tips and techniques become habits, leading to long-term changes.
For example, a wellness coach may guide clients to set realistic fitness goals, creating tailored workout plans for them and helping them stick to these plans in the long run. With time, regular exercise becomes ingrained in the client's routine, determining a lasting effect.
Alternatively, a writing coach helps clients identify their voice then articulate it into meaningful sentences.
What is training?
Although training has similarities to coaching –– such as increasing proficiency in a target area –– it differs in key ways, and the two shouldn't be used interchangeably. Instead of coaching's individual approach, training focuses on teaching in a group setting.
To better define training, visualize a company-wide training session where participants learn the ins and outs of a new software system. Here, the trainer uses a one-way approach to teach new skill sets and ensure a thorough understanding among the group.
Or, when an organization hires 50 new employees, they conduct a full-fledged group training program to ensure every employee understands the company and its policies. Once that happens and employees are well-versed with the organization, departments can move to more nuanced coaching.
Coaching vs. training
Now that we’ve established that these two terms follow distinct methods to achieve goals, let’s see how.
- Purpose: Training teaches a group of people specific skills they need to learn, focusing on knowledge transfer and skill retention. On the other hand, coaching offers individualized advice to a client during a one-on-one session and concentrates on enhancement rather than new learning.
- Duration: Training often involves single sessions to meet deadlines. Think of it as a company working to implement a change in their computer software, with a pressing need for employee understanding. Whereas coaching can take place over long periods, with continual development, however nuanced it may be.
- Experience: Training often takes place in a room full of people, offering general knowledge on a broad scale. In this situation, the trainer doesn’t particularly consider an individual’s needs, learning style, and preferences, and all participants walk away with the same information. Coaching takes a contrasting approach by factoring in a client’s unique attributes and goals, then tailoring advice, knowledge, and techniques to help them get where they want to be.
- Expertise: Trainers are experts in their fields, with detailed know-how of a particular topic. In contrast, coaches can be both general and field-specific. While general coaches aren't always experienced in a particular area, coaches who choose their niches (such as health and wellness, business, and sports) are well-versed in their field. That said, coaches listen to clients' unique thoughts and needs, ask detailed questions, and offer guidance to improve focus and boost self awareness.
When do you need each one?
Because of their distinct qualities, coaching and training work best in different situations. Choosing one is a matter of studying what an individual client or group needs so you can provide them with useful content.
Coaching and training are most successful in these circumstances:
Coaching
- Significant impact: Choose coaching when a client wants to work toward long-term change. Over time, you and your client partner during one-on-one sessions, where you help them improve a little every day. Before you know it, those baby steps add up to significant results.
- Personal development plans: Coaching looks at development from a holistic perspective so clients and team members can thrive. During coaching in organizations, a corporate leader develops their leadership skills and stress management, while employees learn ways to remain motivated and enhance teamwork.
- Company transcendence: Clients might want to define goals and action plans to set a vision for their company. To achieve that, they'll need a coach who asks the right questions and offers meaningful answers. In that case, coaching works better than training because of its personalized attention and advice.
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Training
- Skill training: When a group needs to learn a concept –– such as company-specific policies –– training's broad approach is more effective. Trainers can transfer helpful knowledge to an audience in a manageable period so companies meet time constraints. And without needing client-specific questions, answers, and advice, training gets right to the point.
- Consistency in content: In large groups, training delivers uniform information, getting everyone on the same page. This is especially important in large organizations, where conflicting information causes issues. With training, there's no confusion among team members, enabling companies to continue operating efficiently.
- Efficacy of training: Training proves to be the ideal solution in situations like a group looking to acquire knowledge about a specific topic during tight deadlines.
Coaching and training: similar yet different
Coaching offers the benefits of individual attention, tailored advice, and long-term behavior change. On the other hand, training is a trusted solution when a large group needs to learn new skills or concepts. As a coach or a trainer, you can explain the difference between training and coaching to clients so they know when to use each.
As your coaching career takes shape, you're constantly learning new ways to attract clients, provide assistance, and run your business. Practice is your source for everything coaching. We provide a comprehensive blog of informative articles and a software platform with helpful features. With those tools, you'll have what you need to help clients excel, outpace the competition, and grow your business. Try us today.
