Is Executive Formation Coaching the same as Life Coaching? The 3 Biggest Differences.
Is Executive Formation Coaching the same as Life Coaching? The 3 Biggest Differences.
Coaching can be transformative, but not all approaches are equal. While life coaching and executive formation coaching may appear similar, their focus, boundaries, and goals differ greatly.
Executive formation coaching maintains a clear focus on professional and career development, with an emphasis on growth that aligns with values and purpose. In contrast, life coaching often ventures into areas of personal life that are better suited to therapy or counselling, which can blur boundaries and create potential harm.
In this article, we’ll explore the three biggest differences between life coaching and executive formation coaching to clarify why the latter is a more appropriate option for those seeking meaningful growth in their careers.
1. Focus: Professional Growth vs. Personal Overreach
Life Coaching: Strays into Personal Matters
Life coaching frequently ventures into personal areas such as relationships or emotional well-being, often attempting to address romantic or familial issues. While this may seem helpful, these areas often require the expertise of therapy or counselling rather than coaching.
For example, a life coach might help a client reflect on their dating behaviour, but persistent issues in this area are often linked to deeper psychological challenges. Addressing such matters without the appropriate training risks doing more harm than good.
Executive Formation Coaching: Clear Professional Focus
Executive formation coaching maintains a disciplined focus on career and professional development. While it may touch on work-life balance, this is always approached from the perspective of achieving professional goals. Formation coaching avoids delving into personal life matters, recognising that such areas fall outside the scope of coaching and require therapeutic or counselling expertise.
Example: A formation coach might help a client improve their work-life balance by addressing how overwork impacts productivity and goal achievement, without exploring personal or family dynamics.
2. Approach: Goal-Oriented vs. Prolonged Engagement
Life Coaching: Open-Ended and Unfocused
Life coaching often lacks clear boundaries around time and goals, leading to prolonged engagement that may not deliver results. When coaching continues indefinitely without achieving tangible outcomes, it can indicate a lack of focus or an overstep into areas better addressed by therapy.
Executive Formation Coaching: Defined Goals and Timeframes
Executive formation coaching is purpose-driven, with a clear focus on defined professional goals. Clients and coaches work together to set realistic milestones and timeframes. If progress stalls, the coaching process is reevaluated to ensure alignment with the client’s aspirations and to avoid unnecessary prolongation.
This structured approach ensures that coaching is productive and respects both the client’s time and the coaching profession’s ethical boundaries.
Example: A formation coach might help a client enhance leadership skills by setting measurable goals, such as improved team engagement scores within six months.
3. Boundaries: Targeted Expertise vs. Generalised Advice
Life Coaching: Generalist and Unrestricted
Life coaching often adopts a one-size-fits-all approach, offering general guidance on various aspects of life. While this can appeal to a wide audience, it lacks the specialisation needed to address the complex challenges faced by professionals and leaders.
Executive Formation Coaching: Specialist and Purposeful
Executive formation coaching is specifically tailored for professionals and leaders who want to achieve growth within their careers. It respects the boundaries of coaching, staying focused on professional development rather than straying into personal matters. This specialist approach ensures that clients receive coaching that is relevant, ethical, and impactful.
Example: A formation coach working with an executive would focus on building emotional intelligence to improve team dynamics, rather than addressing personal or emotional struggles unrelated to the workplace.
Why Executive Formation Coaching Stands Out
Unlike life coaching, which often strays into personal areas and lacks clear focus, executive formation coaching provides a professional, goal-oriented, and boundary-conscious approach. It’s designed to foster meaningful growth in careers and leadership while respecting the client’s personal life as outside the scope of coaching.
If you’re ready to focus on your professional goals with clarity and purpose, executive formation coaching could be the right choice for you.
Let’s work together to achieve your ambitions.
