What’s the Difference Between Life Coaching and Spiritual Direction?

In our Introduction to Coaching Class, a question that is often asked is, “What’s the difference between coaching and spiritual direction?” We usually respond by referring participants to a chart developed by Mark Tidsworth that is included in our book Disciple Development Coaching (see excerpts below). We also point out that each process has become a well-developed discipline with clear standards for training and credentialing (for spiritual direction, see Spiritual Directors International or Spiritual Directions.com; for coaching, see International Coaching Federation).

Here are some ways we might differentiate coaching from spiritual direction.

Focus

Coaching: Developing people through learning by doing, partnering between self-discovery and sustainable action
Spiritual Direction: Listening for God’s direction, gaining insights into one’s spiritual journey.

Expertise

Coaching: Expertise within client
Spiritual Direction: Client’s spiritual journey, with spiritual director as guide for understanding the journey.

Time Orientation

Coaching: Present and future.
Spiritual Direction: Past and present.

Provider’s Role

Coaching: Active partner in eliciting dreams and calling of client, followed by designing the action.
Spiritual Direction: Background guide, interaction between the client and God

Focal Area

Coaching: Client’s whole life
Spiritual Direction: Relationship between the client and God

Who does the work?

Coaching: Client
Spiritual Direction: Client does discernment with assistance

Provider’s Methods

Coaching: Has experimental spirit, sees failure as learning, looking for success
Spiritual Direction: Listens for God’s voice and watches for God’s movement in client’s journe

This does raise some questions, however. We say in our coach training that the client sets the agenda. If the client wants to discuss their spiritual development, what should the coach do? If the client is a person of faith, they may process change through the lens of faith. How does the coach deal with that perspective? We have identified the focal area of coaching as “the client’s whole life.” Does this not include their spiritual life? If the coach as experience in spiritual disciplines, how does this impact the way they deal with the client's spiritual inquiries?

There may be other questions, but I will attempt to answer these in a future blog.

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