Is that coaching or is it a course?

Scott,

I've worked in the training and development industry for a lot more years than I care to mention.

To me, coaching is about enabling someone to learn by guiding, motivating and training them as an individual. The "intervention" is designed for that specific person.. it's "trainee centered".

A course is "content driven" - people attend to learn about a specific topic.

Rapido

The difference the way I see it is that a course I can do myself, on my own time, at my own pace. Coaching means I am accountable to someone.

Did I even say that right? Sorry, it's early and I'm just now caffeinating.

well this is how I do my coaching, I send out a video course everyday for 30 days.

with an action step at the end of each video.

and at the end of the video I say if you have any questions on how to do this call me email me skype me or whatever.

so I deliver it as a course they can work on on there own time, with the luxory of having someone to call and talk to if they need some help on how to do it.

my coaching is very cheap compared to others, I charge 500 dollars and only let in 20 people a month.

so the 10k a month is worth charging so little for offering all of my time to my students.

I do however see people who offer a so called coaching but it is not a coaching at all. it is just a video course with no direct help from the mentor at all.

at best just some crap un answered email anytime you have a question.

My coaching involves sending out lessons in PDF and MP3 form that the students can complete on their own time and at their own pace, but I offer complete e-mail and forum support. There is no staff sending out "pre-written" e-mails. I personally answer each and every question. I've done some coaching via skype, but I prefer the other.

This is exactly what I want to do. Some day when I can quit the JOB, I'll have time to devote to my students, and that will be an AWESOME day!

Coaching per-se in this context should reflect a person working with you to help you achieve your goals.

Sending out material for people to work through - is teaching.

Coaching is about helping people get to their own goals rather than telling them what to do.

Most coaches I know draw the line at giving people advice - they have a firm line for coaching which is about listening and asking questions so that the person forms their own conclusions. Talk of giving people advice about what to do would make it fall clearly outside of what most coaches consider coaching.

However, I personally don't like to limit myself to such things and if I have useful relevant experience which would save someone time/effort/money and keep them on their path to their own goals - I would happily offer up that advice.

So, it really depends who you talk to and how you define the terms.

I think if you just send material out - that's NOT coaching, and using the term coaching in that context I believe would mislead people.

Coaching inherently requires that you interact with people to help them find options they couldn't reach as easily or quickly on their own.

I've offered various levels of coaching and these days I only do coaching if the person and I can both commit to regular interactions for their accountability and to keep them motivated.

With IM, people tend to want you to tell them what to do, so you have to be very clear about any expectations you set.

Andy