Which Way Will You Create Value?

Consultants give answers. Mentors share their experience. Coaches increase agency. These three ways to look at creating value were introduced to me during my training at the Meta Performance Institute, and I’ve been pondering them ever since. 

Different situations call for different types of service. For example, when a client asks a real-estate agent what the median home price in a neighborhood is, he is looking for a consultant. It would probably be unresourceful for the agent to start coaching the client, asking him questions like, “What’s the real challenge here for you?” The real-estate agent in our example might have a seasoned agent as his mentor. When they meet over coffee, the younger agent is served by the older one sharing his experience in the field. The younger agent might also have an executive coach. If this coach were to give the agent answers or share from his own experience, he would rob him of the increase in growth that comes from answering powerful questions. If you’re curious to see why asking questions is so effective, check out this excellent talk by coach Michael Bungay Stanier, called How to Tame Your Advice Monster.

This week, I invite you to examine how you create value: 

How do I create value in my life? When and where do I show up as a consultant? As a mentor? As a coach? In these areas, how valuable has my approach been? Are there any areas in which I want to change how I show up? 

God bless,
Dan