Personal Development Profiles

Personal development profiles, also known as personality profiles, are a tool I frequently use before starting a course of coaching with a client. The client answers a series of questions about preferred behaviour styles and their responses generate a report which outlines their strengths, areas for improvement, blind spots, their contribution to the team, ways they could improve their communication and how to deal with challenging people.

I find personal development profiles are a great start to the coaching process as the profile helps the client to begin looking at their own behaviour in ways they have probably never done before. It helps to develop rapport as the coach is not providing the feedback at this stage ? it has been generated by their own responses. The coach provides assistance in understanding the report and I find that many clients experience an 'aha!' moment when they suddenly realise why they find certain kinds of people or situation difficult. Occasionally I have been asked if I have been talking to their mother!

As mentioned, the report will identify 'blind spots'. For obvious reasons these are not evident to us, and often friends and colleagues are hesitant about giving feedback. If they try, we may reject it as the mind does not like the idea we may have a failing. For an executive or leader in business, the situation can be even more difficult, as none of their colleagues may be brave enough to point out the reality of the situation until a crisis has arisen.

Looking at the profile is a taste of what is to come during coaching when the coach's job is to provide feedback and ask challenging and provocative questions designed to get below the surface behaviour to understand what's driving it.

I know that some people are cynical about personal development profiles ? the most common criticism I have heard is that they 'put people in a box'. To that I would reply that they are merely a good starting point for a process of understanding self and others. They do not provide the whole picture of an individual, but they are a useful guide to how they might behave in certain situations.

Andy Britnell is an executive coach who works with businesspeople in both the private and public sectors who wish to achieve better results. More information can be seen at http://executive-coaching-for-business-gro wth.com/ and http://e xecutive-coaching-for-business-growth.com
/personal-development-profiles.html

Sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter Grow and Learn at http://andybritnell.co.uk/

---

What in the World is Life Coaching?

In my speaking engagements I have often compared coaching today... Read More

Coaching Skills

IntroductionThe question for leaders in organizations today is how do... Read More

Among the Purpose & Personality

I have one magical thought, lets see it more closely.... Read More

The Art of Change

We don't change. I imagine such a statement could find... Read More

Ten Ways to Make New Years Resolutions That You Can Actually Keep!

Are you one of the millions of people who make... Read More

The Amazing Secret To Ridding Yourself Of Self Consciousness

One of the biggest challenges to developing superior communication skills... Read More

What is Life Coaching?

An recent article in Money Magazine said that "A coach... Read More

Life On The Receiving End Of Coaching

What is it like to be on the receiving end... Read More

Moment of Magic

Laughter may or may not be a shock, relieved, but... Read More

Do You Make Less Money Than Your Taller Peers?

A recent study at the University of Florida found that... Read More

Life Coach, Counsellor, or Therapist; - How do I choose?

Life coaching has become fashionable in recent years and there... Read More

Profitable Idea Generation in 4 Steps Using Improv

A large percentage of business are stuck, tied to narrow... Read More

How to Turn Around A Sinking Conversation - 7 Tips

When a conversation is not working out there is the... Read More

The Story ?From the Chicken Coop??

Many years ago my grandfather, had a small farm and... Read More

Expectations Can Get In Our Way

There are times when we truly look forward to something... Read More

Get Coached!

Coaching is a hot trend at a growing number of... Read More

Whats Wrong with Life Coaching?

As a Life Coach I quickly identified most individuals wanted... Read More

Worth Waiting For

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 22,... Read More

Can Versus Cant

It is my personal opinion that there are two words... Read More

How to Crack a Daunting Task!

If you have a daunting task and the mere thought... Read More

Diverse Marketing Strategies for Those Living with Disabilities

Imagine yourself as the only means of financially supporting you.... Read More

An Easy Way to End The Year

As a healthy business owner or independent professional, how do... Read More

How Does Sports Coaching Differ from Corporate Coaching?

Athletes Versus EmployeesMost athletes are young, open to improvement, eager... Read More

Miscommunication - Root Cause of Problems?

People of two opposing ideas can stir up arguments and... Read More

Trust In The Moment, and Trust In Yourself

Do you often get yourself upset and feeling less than... Read More