Two Paths of Coaching: Technical Proficiency vs. Personal Development
Charles McJilton
Currently conducting research on the use of AI in disaster response: initial rapid assessment, supply chain management, and negotiating access.
In my experience, coaching often falls into two distinct categories: technical coaching and personal development coaching. Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes—and depending on where you are in your journey, one may be far more impactful than the other.
The Technical Coach
This is the expert. The technical coach knows the business inside and out—accountants who understand financial compliance, lawyers who can walk you through legal frameworks, or engineers who can guide you through design and execution. When you need to learn a specific skill or navigate the complexities of your industry, this kind of coach is indispensable. They tell you what to do and how to do it.
The Personal Development Coach
On the other hand, the personal development coach may not know your business, but they understand you. They may lack technical credentials or deep industry experience—but they excel at creating space for reflection, asking insightful questions, and helping you see your challenges in a new light.
Think of Ted Lasso—the fictional American football coach hired to lead a British soccer team, despite knowing nothing about soccer. His genius wasn’t in tactics, but in connection. He coached the person, not the player.
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This week I spent time with Cory McGowan (PCC) of Adventure Partners, a coach who humbly claims he's not qualified due to a lack of business background. And yet, every time I’ve worked with him, I’ve walked away with greater clarity—not because he gave me advice, but because he helped me discover my own. In fact, the most helpful thing he’s done is to ask the right question at the right time.
When I was pioneering food banking in Japan (2002-2023), it was challenging to explain a new concept in a second language, in a culture where civil society did not thrive, and to staff who were not trained to work in a nonprofit. With no peers to turn to, having someone like Cory was invaluable. He was not giving me technical advice to "climb the mountain" but rather helping me see the different paths before me. From there I could gain my own clarity on which to take. That was always far more valuable than someone giving me technical advice on supply chain management to get food those in need.
Einstein once quipped that if he only had an hour to save the world, he would spend 55 minutes defining the problem and five minutes on the solution. Having a guide like Corey to bring clarity was far more valuable than someone using the time to give me solutions.
What Makes a Great Coach?
The next time you're looking for a coach, consider this: you may not need someone who knows your business better than you. You might need someone who knows people—or who can help you know yourself better.
Sometimes the best path forward isn’t something someone hands you. It’s something you uncover—with a little help. Clarity is everything.
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10moThis is such a helpful distinction, Charles McJilton, and I hope many people take a few minutes to read it. There is no shortage of people offering these services these days, and this is a great first thing for people to get clear on - which kind of support do they need? And of course, it is a gift to hear how our work impacted you and to get your support in connecting with others who might benefit from it as well! Thank you.