Ask yourself the following questions before reading this blog.
- Does your coaching help clients achieve the results they want?
- Do some clients feel disengaged while others are super active during the sessions?
- Are you really comfortable with the way you coach?
Is the answer ‘yes’ to the above questions? Want to know what this means? It’s time to change your coaching style. Yes, and it doesn’t mean that the coaching style is bad; it just needs some modifications to fit all clients. In this guide, you will learn different types of coaching styles and how they help coaches work more efficiently.
Top 11 Coaching Styles to Help Clients in Any Situation
1. Democratic Coaching
In the democratic coaching style, the coachee gets a lot of freedom and responsibility. Because the coach doesn’t give orders and makes sure the process stays on track. Under this style, coachees are also encouraged to make decisions and share their thoughts.
This helps to improve their thinking, communication and problem-solving skills. The feeling that they are in control makes them feel more confident too. The only negative side is that it takes longer to see results, as all possible solutions are considered before taking a decision.
2. Authoritarian Coaching
In the authoritarian coaching style, the coach makes all the decisions for the coachee. This includes what they need to do, when to do it and how to do it. All they have to do is follow the coach’s instructions. The main purpose of this style is to help coachees learn discipline, set goals and work step by step towards achieving them.
3. Holistic Coaching
In the holistic coaching style, the coach works with the coachee to create a balance in all areas of their life when making decisions. Coaches believe that everything in life is connected. As a result, they look at the bigger picture before taking action.
This style focuses on all the areas of a person, including physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and financial. Coachees, when coached under this style, often feel a stronger sense of purpose, as all their choices are examined in the scope of the whole picture. Techniques such as relaxation and stress management are also taught to help them produce effective decisions and solutions.
4. Autocratic Coaching
In the autocratic coaching style, the coach tells the coachee exactly what to do instead of asking them what to do. This style helps coachees develop discipline and stay committed to a task. The coach also sets a clear plan and structure for achieving specific goals.
In most cases, the coach wants coachees to repeat successful processes to strengthen their commitment and consistency. The main purpose of this style is to achieve excellence.
5. Visionary Coaching
In the visionary coaching style, the coach gives clear guidance and a plan to help coachees reach their goals. That’s giving instructions on what to focus on and where to put efforts during sessions to get the best results. Coachees are also encouraged to do their best to achieve the goals.
The main purpose of this style is to give feedback, reflect on progress and discuss what’s been learnt. All these help coachees stay motivated and supported. This coaching style works best in fast-changing environments, as it delivers fast results.
4 Solid Pillars of a Failproof Coaching Business Every Coach Must Build
6. Laissez-faire Coaching
In the laissez-faire coaching style, the coach gives the coachee the power to make decisions and also keeps them accountable. The coach doesn’t give much instruction, guidance, support or encouragement unless the coachee asks for it.
In this style, the coachee shows their goals to the coach, explains how and when they plan to achieve them and works independently to reach them. The main role of the coach is to keep the coachee accountable, providing help only when the coachee asks for it.
7. Mindful Coaching
In the mindful coaching style, the coach helps coachees understand the things that hold them back. Through this style, they learn to understand the challenges or obstacles faced and find behaviours which need improvement. Specific techniques are used to help coachees think differently and grow. The main goal is to help them find their true potential and use the right resources to make better life choices.
8. Bureaucratic Coaching
In the bureaucratic coaching style, the coach sets clear rules, procedures and detailed outlines for decision-making. This style works best in environments that require strict following of rules and safety procedures.
Here, the coach focuses more on guiding a group rather than an individual, helping the team improve accountability, consistency and safety. By giving the group clear instructions to follow, the coach helps them develop routine behaviours that make achieving goals more realistic and organised.
For example, in a company, a coach sets clear instructions to be followed by workers to ensure safety. They include wearing safety wear like gloves and goggles for protection, assembling products and reporting errors on time. The coach makes sure all procedures are followed in the right order to maintain consistency and safety.
9. Developmental Coaching
In the developmental coaching style, coaches help coachees become more aware of themselves and how they think. Coaches using this style believe that understanding oneself improves focus and decision-making.
This helps coachees understand how they react to feedback, develop intuition and notice when they enter or leave autopilot mode in life. The main purpose is to make coaches engage more efficiently with life and with the people around them.
10. Group Coaching
In the group coaching style, the coach works with a group of people who share similar goals. The sessions can be conducted either online or offline. The coaching is mainly focused on setting goals, understanding challenges, taking action and being accountable.
Group coaching is mostly done in small groups, letting people from different parts of the world join online. The main benefit is that it gives coachees the opportunity to connect with various knowledgeable and experienced people who share similar interests.
11. Transformational Coaching
In the transformational coaching style, coaches help coachees during major life changes. Here, the coachees learn how their self-perception and attitude affect their behaviour. The coach works on improving the coachee’s self-image and making them realise their full potential. The main process involves boosting confidence and guiding them to make the necessary life changes to reach their goals.
Conclusion
Choose a coaching style that’s comfortable for both the coach and the clients. The style can also be selected based on the situation. Read the blog carefully and understand the style that best fits your goals. Always remember, don’t pretend to follow a style just because other coaches do. Clients can easily sense it, whether it’s real or not.
According to reports, “80% of people boosted confidence through coaching.” (source). This shows how important it is to follow the right coaching styles to help clients feel motivated, build confidence and skills and achieve their goals.
Ever noticed clients losing focus during coaching? It’s time to change your coaching style! Read the blog and find out which style suits you best to make clients more engaged and motivated.
EntrepreneursLeague is an initiative to support startups and leading entrepreneurs with more visibility, resources, and community for growth and networking.
