The difference between training and coaching

Why smart AEC leaders invest in both

When it comes to developing leaders, we often hear the terms training and coaching used interchangeably. We're here to set the record straight. Training and coaching are not the same thing. And understanding the difference is key to seeing real results for your team members and your firm.

Investing in training exposes your team to new knowledge, reinforces desired skills and behaviors, and reinforces a shared culture of learning and ongoing professional development.

What makes training and coaching different

It’s easy to think training is enough: teach the skill, check the box, move on. But that’s not where growth happens. Training gives people the knowledge; coaching makes sure it takes root through practice, feedback, and accountability. When you pair the two, skills become habits and progress becomes measurable. This distinction comes alive when you think about it visually: one provides the map, the other helps you move along the path.

• Training is like giving someone a map. It’s structured, clear, and designed to teach new skills. Training equips your people with knowledge: how to prepare for an interview, how to run a client meeting, how to build a pipeline, how to present ideas with confidence. It answers the what and the how.

• If training is the map, coaching is walking the path with them. It’s more personal, adaptive, and focused on implementation. Coaching helps people figure out which route to take, what to do when they hit a dead end, and how to build confidence along the way. It answers the now what.

Why leaders need both

Training without coaching fades. People may leave a session inspired, but when they’re back at their desks, old habits take over. Coaching ensures these skills last. It nudges, challenges, and supports until new ways of working become second nature. For firm leaders, this distinction matters.

Targeted coaching relationships dig deep to help skills and behaviors take root. They focus on individual needs, providing personalized feedback, strategies, and resources to help them succeed.

When to use training vs. coaching

So how do you know when training is the right move, when coaching makes more sense, or when you need both? Sometimes the goal is straightforward: give your team the skills or tools they need. Other times, it’s less about what they know and more about how they use it. And more often than not, the answer isn’t one or the other, it’s both. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide:

• Use training when you want to introduce new skills, tools, or frameworks across a team.

• Use coaching when you want people to apply those skills in real situations, build confidence, and grow into leaders.

• Use both if you want change that lasts.

At Dragonfly, we design programs for training, coaching, and, most powerfully, the combination of both. One without the other leaves potential on the table. Training informs. Coaching transforms. Together, they create lasting impact.