Three Distinct Roles, One Goal: Your Growth
1. Coaching
Focus: Unlocking the client's own potential and solutions through powerful questioning.
Professional Example
A Business Leader wants to improve team morale and decision-making. The coach uses inquiry to help the leader identify existing organizational blind spots and design their own action plan.
Career Development Example
A Manager seeks clarity on their next career step. The coach helps them articulate their values, long-term vision, and inherent strengths to choose the right professional path.
Suleiman Shaibu Responsibility
- Create a non-judgmental, confidential space for exploration.
- Ask powerful questions to drive client self-discovery and clarity.
- Hold the client accountable to the goals and actions they commit to.
- Not offer direct solutions, but facilitate the client's own realization.
Client Responsibility
- To generate solutions and commit to action.
- To provide context and be open to introspection.
- To execute the steps agreed upon between sessions.
2. Mentoring
Focus: Sharing experience, wisdom, and best practices to accelerate a specific learning curve.
Professional Example
A new Head of Sales needs to navigate their first large-scale reorganization. The mentor, having led similar projects, shares templates, pitfalls, and negotiation strategies.
Skill Development Example
An ambitious team member wants to develop executive presence. The mentor provides direct, observational feedback and models specific communication and presentation techniques.
Suleiman Shaibu Responsibility
- Share relevant industry experience, wisdom, and network access.
- Provide honest, constructive feedback on performance and behavior.
- Suggest specific resources, methodologies, and skill development paths.
- Act as a trusted sounding board and long-term guide.
Client Responsibility
- To clearly define the skills/knowledge gap to be filled.
- To actively listen and apply the mentor's advice.
- To report back on the outcomes of applying the shared experiences.
3. Consulting
Focus: Diagnosing problems, providing expert analysis, and delivering specific, implementable solutions.
AI Strategy & Training Example
A business needs to integrate AI for efficiency. The consultant develops an AI adoption roadmap, selects suitable tools, and conducts hands-on training for leadership and specific teams.
Performance Management Example
A C-suite needs to overhaul its employee evaluation system. The consultant analyzes current metrics, designs a new OKR/KPI framework, and structures the deployment process for the HR team.
Suleiman Shaibu Responsibility
- Conduct objective analysis and diagnosis of the business challenge.
- Provide data-backed, expert recommendations and solutions.
- Deliver finished strategic documents, frameworks, or training materials.
- Define and structure the implementation plan for the client.
Client Responsibility
- To provide all necessary data and organizational access.
- To clearly define the problem and desired outcome (Scope).
- To allocate resources for the implementation of the recommended solutions.