The Difference Between Coaches and Consultants (and good vs bad!)

Small Business Coaching Choices: Avoiding Red Flags and Finding True ExpertiseI might be considering dropping the term "coach" from my title… and it’s not because I don’t love what I do, but because the term "coach" has gotten so confusing that it’s lost a lot of its original meaning. Do you know what I mean?Hey, I'm Katie McManus, business strategist and money mindset coach, and this is my podcast "The Weeniecast!" Pssssst! Not sure if you've heard, but I'm inviting new members to the best community for business owners with ADHD - the Hyperfocused Community! You can join here - https://weeniecast.com/hyperfocusNow, back to this episode...In this episode, "The Difference Between Coaches and Consultants (and good vs bad!)", I want to share with you some insights into this murky world. We’ll be exploring what traditional coaching entails, where the coach asks open-ended questions and doesn’t give direct advice, versus a more hands-on approach—which is more my style—where advice and expertise are freely shared.One thing we’ll cover is the importance of finding the right fit for your business phase. Are you looking for a classical coach, someone who's going to draw out your ideas and have you come to your own conclusions, or are you more in need of a mentor who provides guidance and shares their experiences? You’ll also learn some red flags to look out for when seeking coaching or consulting services—like relying on social media followers as proof of skills or boasting of 'secret formulas' that promise quick fixes.Let’s unpack all of this. You’ll come away with better discernment skills to find the coaching or consulting partnership that’s truly aligned with your business needs. By the end of this episode, you'll be more confident in spotting genuine coaches versus those who’re just pretending to know what they’re talking about, and you'll know what to look for to get the most out of your working relationship.Click play, and let's get started!Timestamped Summary:00:00 Traditional coaching emphasizes asking open-ended questions.05:38 Consider coach certification, clarity, and commitment.09:00 Find a coach with customized expertise, beware charlatans.10:06 Spot social media fraud by authentic comments.14:26 Red flags include lack of last name.18:28 Rejecting hustle culture, finding work-life balance.21:02 Trust intuition, solid testimonials, similar experiences validate.25:24 Find supportive, flexible, and enjoyable professionals.27:23 Fun teaching made verb conjugation unforgettable.Useful linksMy discounted link for you to learn a new language to give you practice at failing!:https://weeniecast.com/lingodaConfused? You need to check out this episode then:https://weeniecast.com/95Your next steps after listening Want to come and experience a free monthly group session with me one Friday soon?https://weeniecast.com/brave-biz-labsRealizing it's time to work with me? Book your free initial strategy call with me - weeniecast.com/strategycallGet more support in your ADHD entrepreneur life by joining my hyperfocus community! - https://weeniecast.com/hyperfocusWanna get this content earlier, and totally unbleeped? Subscribe to the Apple Podcasts premium version of this show - https://weeniecast.com/winnersWant to just buy me a coffee in return for some helpful insight? Thank you! Here's where you can do that - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/katiethecoachMentioned in this episode:We'd love it if you'd give us a reviewReview usKatie follow messageWe'd love it if you'd give us a reviewReview us