Meet our expert: Garry Watanabe, Principal Trainer & Sport Lead

Garry Watanabe is an expert on coaching and performance under pressure. A former corporate lawyer, Garry spent eight years as an elite swimming coach in Southern California, has a Master’s Degree in Sports Psychology, and has worked with thousands of executives in organizations like Deloitte, RBC, and Acuity Brands. As Third Factor’s sport lead, Garry supports the performance of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and teaches at UNC Chapel Hill and Queen’s University.

“What is the difference between leadership and coaching?”

This is such a great question. These two terms are thrown around a lot and often used interchangeably. Here’s how I think about it.

Leadership is what you do and say to help a group of two or more people stay focused and motivated as they move toward a common goal. You play a role in choosing that goal and providing the direction and energy to get there.

Coaching, on the other hand, is different.

The word “coach” comes from Kocs, a town in Hungary famous for making horse-drawn carriages – vehicles built to carry people from where they are to where they want to go. That’s what a coach does too: helps someone travel from their current state to their desired destination.

Here’s an example to illustrate the difference.

Suppose you believe whitewater rafting is a transformative experience — one that tests personal limits, builds trust, and sparks pure joy. You think everyone should experience it at least once.

So, this summer, you decide to make it happen for the community of people around you.

You share your vision: why it matters, how exhilarating it will be. You enlist people in your adventure, pull together teams to plan and execute. You keep the idea alive when energy dips, refocus the group when distractions arise and keep the momentum moving forward

That’s leadership.

Now imagine a different scenario. Someone comes to you. They’ve always wanted to go whitewater rafting but never made it happen. Maybe they’re hesitant — unsure where to start, or even intimidated.

You help them explore why this matters. You work with them to identify realistic next steps. You talk through what’s holding them back — fear, time, uncertainty — and how they might move past it. You offer encouragement, check in, and hold them accountable as they move toward the goal.

That’s coaching.

The insight: It’s about who chooses the destination

Leadership is about having a vision, enlisting others, keeping the group on course and sustaining motivation on the journey.

Coaching is about helping someone clarify their destination, navigate their obstacles, and keep going when the waters get rough.

Is there overlap? Of course. Am I missing something? Almost certainly.

Both leadership and coaching are about movement – helping people go from here to there. The question is: who chooses the destination?

 

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Leadership is about setting a vision, mobilizing people, and sustaining group motivation toward a shared goal.

  • Coaching focuses on helping an individual move from where they are to where they want to go: clarifying goals, removing barriers, and offering support.

  • Leadership involves choosing direction and rallying others; coaching helps someone articulate their own destination and progress toward it.

  • Both involve movement and growth, but differ primarily in who defines the goal.