Coaching is like any other professional advisor and on the same level as lawyers and accountants. Coaching is faster than psychotherapy and more powerful than good intentions. Coaches are about human development. Until we start teaching citizenship, self-management, basic literacy and entrepreneurship in our schools, demand for qualified and professional coaches will only increase. Coaching does not dwell on past transgressions and mistakes, but instead focuses on helping the client create the life they want.
Accountability is the buzzword.
Coaches can be that external motivating factor that allows people to do things on purpose. Consultants are often external experts that identify challenges or obstacles and either write reports on their findings or fix the problem themselves. Coaches, on the other hand, often help the client to discover the challenge on their own and then help them implement a strategy to remove the obstacle. Consulting and therapy fix what is broken, and is often tend to be dependant relationships. A successful coaching relationship leads to a satisfied client becoming more independent and self-directed.