Coaching vs. Counseling

Coaching and counseling are important tools that aid in providing proper employee and/or University advocacy for the SMU community.  The difference between coaching and counseling involves level of understanding and outcome desired. 

Counseling involves investigation of issues through listening to the employee’s/employer’s concerns and asking questions that will clarify the issues.  The result of a clear understanding is the employee relations representative ability to provide guidance to solutions for these issues.

Coaching involves a discussion of known areas of issue and the clarification, understanding, and acceptance of performance standards and expectations by the employee.