---
translationKey: coaching-or-sparring
title: Coaching or Executive Sparring?
image: coaching-or-sparring.jpg
---

## What helps you right now?

Two ways to work with me, and how to tell which one you need.

“What’s the actual difference between coaching and sparring?” I hear this question often. Here’s my short answer.

## Coaching: you find your own answer

In coaching, I listen, ask questions, and hold the space for you to think. You steer where it goes. I rarely give advice. It takes a bit of time and works deep: you get to know yourself and your judgment better.

## Executive Sparring: you test your thinking

In sparring, I’m your sparring partner, as an equal. I question assumptions, bring in my own view, and sometimes push back. This helps when a decision is coming up and you’re missing an outside perspective from within your own company.

> “The sparring helped me a great deal with my reorientation ahead of an unavoidable professional change.”
>
> -- Director, German automotive group

## What do you need right now?

Want to understand better how you decide and lead? Coaching is the better fit.

Facing a concrete decision you want to think through with someone? Sparring is the better fit.

In my [AI Leadership Journey](https://designchange.de/de/ai-leadership-coaching-journey/), we use both, applied to your own AI decisions.

Which decision would you like to think through with someone right now?

Book an introductory call: <https://designchange.de/de/termin/>

With Karla Schlaepfer – I’m looking forward to it!
