What is Your Natural Coaching Style?

Introduction to the Coaching Style Questionnaire

What is This Questionnaire?

This Coaching Style Questionnaire is designed to help you understand your natural style as a personal development coach. By answering these questions, you will gain insights into your coaching habits and mindset, which can help you determine the type of coaching that suits you best.

Why is This Important?

Understanding your coaching style is crucial for maximizing your effectiveness and satisfaction as a coach. Knowing how you naturally interact with clients can help you identify areas for improvement, develop better coaching strategies, and work towards a coaching style that feels authentic and impactful.

How Can This Help You?

By completing this questionnaire, you will:

• Gain a clearer picture of your coaching mindset.
• Identify strengths and areas for improvement in your coaching style.
• Receive tailored advice on how to enhance your coaching effectiveness.
• Develop a plan to improve your coaching practice and find the coaching niche that suits you best.

How to Take Part in This Questionnaire

1. Prepare a Sheet of Paper:
   • Take a sheet of paper and write down numbers 1 to 15 in a vertical column.
2. Read Each Question Carefully:
   • For each question, consider the four response options (A, B, C, D) and choose the one that best represents your typical behavior or mindset.
3. Record Your Answers:
   • Write down the letter (A, B, C, or D) next to the corresponding question number on your paper.
4. Be Honest and Thoughtful:
   • It’s important to be honest with yourself when answering these questions. Think carefully about each question and choose the answer that truly reflects your typical behavior and beliefs about coaching.
5. Calculate Your Score:
   • After answering all the questions, use the scoring system provided to assign points to each of your answers (A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point).
   • Sum up the points for all 15 questions to get your total score.
6. Determine Your Profile:
   • Compare your total score to the profile categories to see which one best describes your coaching mindset.
   • Read the description of your profile to understand your coaching behaviors and get personalized advice on how to improve.

Advice on Taking the Questionnaire

• Honesty is Key: The more honest you are, the more accurate your results will be. This is a self-assessment, and its value depends on your truthful responses.
• Take Your Time: Don’t rush through the questions. Spend a few moments thinking about each one and how it applies to your coaching practice.
• Reflect on Your Answers: Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your coaching habits and attitudes. The goal is to gain insight and take steps towards becoming a more effective

Coaching Style Questionnaire

Dimension 1: Communication Style

1. How do you typically give feedback to your clients?

• A. Directly and honestly, focusing on both strengths and areas for improvement.
• B. Constructively and empathetically, emphasizing encouragement.
• C. Carefully and diplomatically, to avoid discomfort.
• D. Minimally, preferring clients to self-discover their areas of growth.

2. How do you structure your coaching sessions?

• A. With a clear agenda and specific goals for each session.
• B. With flexibility to address whatever the client needs at the moment.
• C. With a mix of structure and spontaneity.
• D. With an emphasis on the client’s agenda and less on a fixed structure.

3. How do you handle difficult conversations with clients?

• A. Head-on, ensuring the issue is addressed directly.
• B. With sensitivity, focusing on understanding the client’s perspective.
• C. Gradually, easing into the conversation.
• D. Avoiding confrontation, focusing instead on positive reinforcement.

Dimension 2: Motivational Techniques

4. How do you motivate your clients?

• A. By setting high expectations and challenging them.
• B. By inspiring them through empathy and understanding.
• C. By providing consistent encouragement and support.
• D. By letting them set their own pace and finding intrinsic motivation.

5. How do you help clients set goals?

• A. By helping them set ambitious, challenging goals.
• B. By collaborating to set realistic, attainable goals.
• C. By guiding them to set a mix of short-term and long-term goals.
• D. By allowing them to set their own goals based on their comfort level.

6. How do you celebrate client successes?

• A. With significant recognition and rewards.
• B. With heartfelt praise and encouragement.
• C. By acknowledging progress and setting new goals.
• D. By reflecting on the journey and the lessons learned.

Dimension 3: Coaching Philosophy

7. What is your primary focus as a coach?

• A. Achieving measurable results and outcomes.
• B. Personal growth and emotional well-being.
• C. Balancing progress with personal satisfaction.
• D. Client-led discovery and self-awareness.

8. How important is it for you to develop a personal connection with your clients?

• A. Important, but secondary to achieving goals.
• B. Very important; it’s the foundation of my coaching.
• C. Moderately important; it enhances the coaching process.
• D. Somewhat important, but the client’s growth is primary.

9. How do you view setbacks in the coaching process?

• A. As challenges to overcome quickly.
• B. As opportunities for deeper understanding and growth.
• C. As natural parts of the journey, to be navigated with care.
• D. As signals to slow down and reassess.

Dimension 4: Analytical Approach

10. How do you analyze your clients’ progress?

• A. Through regular assessments and measurable benchmarks.
• B. Through reflective conversations and feedback.
• C. By combining assessments with client feedback.
• D. By observing and discussing progress as it naturally unfolds.

11. How do you handle data and feedback from clients?

• A. By systematically analyzing and incorporating it into coaching plans.
• B. By using it as a guide for empathetic discussions.
• C. By balancing data with intuitive understanding.
• D. By letting it inform but not dictate the coaching process.

12. How do you use psychological principles in your coaching?

• A. Extensively, to structure and direct the coaching process.
• B. Moderately, to enhance understanding and empathy.
• C. Occasionally, as needed to support the client.
• D. Minimally, preferring more organic methods.

Dimension 5: Adaptability and Flexibility

13. How do you adapt your coaching style to different clients?

• A. By tailoring strategies to fit each client’s unique needs.
• B. By adjusting my approach based on the client’s feedback and progress.
• C. By combining my core methods with flexible techniques.
• D. By allowing the client’s preferences to guide the process.

14. How do you respond to unexpected changes in a client’s situation?

• A. Quickly, with a revised plan of action.
• B. Compassionately, focusing on the client’s well-being.
• C. Calmly, integrating changes into the ongoing process.
• D. Flexibly, allowing the client to steer the new direction.

15. How do you ensure continuous improvement in your coaching practice?

• A. By seeking regular feedback and updating methods.
• B. By staying attuned to clients’ needs and industry trends.
• C. By balancing traditional techniques with innovative approaches.
• D. By ongoing self-reflection and client input.

Scoring System

Assign points to each response based on the coaching style it represents:

• A = 4 points (Directive/Results-focused)
• B = 3 points (Empathetic/Client-focused)
• C = 2 points (Balanced/Flexible)
• D = 1 point (Non-directive/Client-led)

Sum the points for all 15 questions and use the total to categorize the respondent into one of the profiles:

• 51-60 points: The Directive and Results-focused Coach
  • Animal Characteristic: You are a Lion, leading with strength and a focus on achieving goals.
  • Advice: Continue leveraging your decisive and goal-oriented approach. Consider roles that require strong leadership and clear outcomes. Coaching in high-performance or executive settings could be a great match.
• 36-50 points: The Empathetic and Client-focused Coach
  • Animal Characteristic: You are a Dolphin, navigating with empathy and a deep connection to your clients.
  • Advice: Maintain your empathetic approach, but also push clients towards measurable progress. Consider roles in life coaching or therapy where emotional intelligence is crucial.
• 21-35 points: The Balanced and Flexible Coach
  • Animal Characteristic: You are an Owl, wise and adaptable in your methods.
  • Advice: Your balanced approach is a strength. Seek opportunities that allow you to combine structure with flexibility, such as career coaching or personal development coaching for diverse clients.
• 0-20 points: The Non-directive and Client-led Coach
  • Animal Characteristic: You are a Deer, gentle and client-led in your approach.
  • Advice: Embrace your non-directive style but encourage more structure when needed. Coaching roles that focus on personal discovery and self-awareness, such as mindfulness coaching or holistic coaching, may suit you well.

Recommended Reading: The 10 Laws of Personal Development Coaching

In the world of personal development coaching, where transformation and growth intersect, Kizzi Nkwocha stands as a beacon of wisdom and experience. As an esteemed coach, author, and visionary behind Business Game Changer Magazine, Money and Finance Magazine, and The Property Investor Magazine, Kizzi has consistently reshaped the landscape of coaching. In his latest work, “The 10 Laws of Personal Development Coaching,” he shares a profound roadmap that transcends conventional wisdom, offering both coaches and clients a transformative journey toward excellence.

The coaching industry, marked by its capacity to inspire change and empower individuals, has seen remarkable growth. However, with growth comes the responsibility to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. Kizzi Nkwocha addresses this need with a compelling set of principles encapsulated in the 10 laws.

Why does the industry need these laws? The answer is clear: to establish a foundation of trust, ethical conduct, and unparalleled excellence. In a world teeming with self-help methodologies and coaching philosophies, Kizzi’s 10 laws serve as a lighthouse, guiding both seasoned coaches and aspiring practitioners toward a path of unparalleled success.

The first law, “Prioritize Client Welfare Above All Else,” sets the tone for the entire framework. It underlines the paramount importance of the client’s well-being, emphasizing the coach’s duty to nurture and protect the client’s growth journey. This foundational principle is a North Star that ensures coaches stay true to the core purpose of their profession.

Maintaining integrity and ethical conduct, as outlined in the second law, is the bedrock of a coach’s reputation and the cornerstone of lasting success. Kizzi Nkwocha, drawing from his wealth of experience, implores coaches to embody the highest standards of honesty and ethical behavior, fostering an environment of trust that is essential for transformative coaching relationships.