How to grow your adaptability as a coach

As you’re defining your resolutions for the year, what is a top priority for your growth as a coach? 

Growing in my adaptability as a coach is my number one for this year. Over the years I have seen how adapting to my clients' personality, energy, communication style, and cultural values has made a significant difference in the outcome of our coaching relationship. It's a  muscle that needs to be continuously trained. 

Adaptability is one of the eight competencies found in the Emotional Intelligence model (referenced in the footnote) developed by Daniel Goleman and Richard Boyatzis. For us as coaches, it is our capacity to be flexible and make our coaching style fit to our clients’ needs and uniqueness. Embodying a coaching mindset means, by definition, a mindset that is open, curious, flexible, and client-centered. CC#2

But what can help us grow in our capacity to identify and adapt to our clients’ needs?

When adapting to your coaching clients' personality, it's important to remember that each individual is unique and may require different approaches. Here are some steps to help you adapt to your coaching clients' personality:

1. Understand your own personality type

Understanding your own personality and how it may differ from your client’s personality can help you adapt to how your clients prefer to process information or make decisions objectively, based on logical criteria, or based on subjective values.

2. Assess your client’s personality

While a formal assessment can be helpful, you can simply begin by paying attention to your clients’ verbal and nonverbal cues. Observing their body language will give you valuable insights into their personality and help you adapt your coaching questions accordingly.

3. Connect and build trust:

Building a strong rapport and trust with your client is essential for effective coaching. Establishing a genuine connection and creating a safe and non-judgmental space where they feel comfortable opening up is essential for effective coaching. Adapt your communication to match their preferred style, whether it is more formal or informal, structured or open-ended.

4. Flex your communication style:

Adjust your communication style to match your client's preferences. Some clients may be more analytical and prefer logical and data-driven discussions, while others may respond better to stories, metaphors, or emotional appeals. Some may prefer a direct and assertive approach, while others may respond better to a more gentle and supportive style. Adapt your language, tone, and examples to resonate with their style and enhance their understanding and engagement.

5. Search for their motivations and goals:

Some clients may be driven by achievement and outcomes, while others may be more focused on personal growth and fulfillment. Adapt your coaching process to align with their motivations, helping them set goals that are meaningful and relevant to their personality and aspirations.

Remember, effective coaching is about meeting your clients where they are and adapting your approach to their unique personality and needs. By being flexible, empathetic, and responsive, you can create a coaching experience that is tailored to their individuality and supports their personal growth and development. (PCC markers 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1)

You can deepen your understanding of how you can adapt more to your client’s personality and serve them more effectively by practicing with others. What would be the next step you would like to take?

*The competencies of the EI model for coaches were assessed in this study by the Emotional and Social Competency Inventory, or ESCI-360.