The Difference Between Advising and Consulting

If you’re not sure whether you need advising or consulting, you’re not alone. The line gets blurry, especially when someone says they “do both.” 

This is how I define it in my practice:

FACTORS	ADVISING	CONSULTING
Core purpose	Clarify, assess, align	Build, apply, implement
Focus	Decision-making, discernment, leadership clarity	Strategic execution, systems, messaging, deliverables
How it works	Real-time dialogue and reflection across your business	Scoped, collaborative work aligned to clearly defined needs
When it happens	Always first	Only after clarity exists
What it changes	How you lead	What you’re building

In my view, advising is what makes consulting worth doing. Without it, you end up not having enough info to diagnose accurately, solving the wrong problems, overproducing deliverables that won’t work in practice, or building strategies that don’t actually support how the business operates.

When we skip advising and go straight to consulting, you risk hiring someone to “fix” a symptom instead of getting clear on the cause underneath.

But when we start with advising, you get a strategic partner and a fresh perspective from someone with years of experience. And then, when there is a practical need, that same partner can shift into consulting mode and help you carry it through.

That’s how I work. And that’s how I recommend thinking about the difference.

Here’s a list of questions I find helpful when considering advising vs. consulting:

• Do I need help making sense of what’s happening or executing on something I already understand?

• Am I clear on the root of the challenge, or do I need support clarifying what’s actually going on?

• Is the biggest hurdle a lack of direction or a lack of implementation?

• Would real-time thought partnership help me lead more effectively or am I ready for someone to build something with me?

• Do I need space to reflect, reframe, and reset or do I need scoped support to carry something through?

• Am I looking for ongoing strategic support or a defined project with clear deliverables?

• Do I feel confident in my decisions but need support rolling them out or am I still unsure what direction to take?

If you’re interested in my services, you can:

1. Peek at my services and process

2. Check out my pricing

3. Or book an initial convo (no cost!)

I really hope that this helps as you look for solutions that are right for you.

Alignment is so important, especially if you’re bringing in outside support. Remember that it’s okay to take your time considering all options, this is not a decision to rush (which can be hard when things are urgent). 

Whichever direction you decide to take, I wish you the best!