Why successful coaches use DISC

The benefit of using with coaching clients

Many coaches have stated in the past, they have delivered a discovery call, a complimentary/taster coaching session, or one-off session with a client, but the client doesn’t take it beyond that initial interaction. Which can leave them questioning their skills in being able to build a thriving coaching business. How disappointing is that?

DISC profiling has emerged as the personality profiling tool of choice within the coaching industry.  Coaches who are DISC aware and use DISC within their sessions have come to realise, that it is their ability to recognise the ‘observable behaviours’ of their potential clients that makes the difference.

Understanding your clients’ predominant DISC style can facilitate all aspects of the coaching relationship.  From helping you identify your coaching niche, to building rapport more effectively, improving listening skills, question selection and navigation through the coaching process in a way that best suits your clients’ style.

If your client finds the session beneficial and enjoyable (whatever that means to them) then the likelihood of booking more sessions or preferably a block of sessions will be likely.

For those of you new to DISC, here are a few insights to using this powerful tool with coaching clients.

Here are a few tips to help you coach the different styles: 

Coaching clients with a D-Style preference

1. Pick up on their pace – clients’ with a D preference D’s tend to like to move take action quickly and move on.
2. Understand that they are demanding of themselves and others – this means they may well set some challenging goals.
3. Make sure your questions are to the point – cut to the chase and get to the point quickly - be bright, be brief and be gone!!

Coaching clients with a I-Style preference

1. Keep the session fast, friendly and if possible, fun.
2. Clients with an I preference generally like to talk and tell a story – be a great listener but keep them on track to get them where they want to go.
3. Over optimism can be their downfall! With this in mind, you’ll need to check the reality of what they are seeking to achieve, in the timescale they have given themselves.

Coaching clients with a S-Style preference

1. Spend time to build rapport, because sincerity is paramount here and encourage them to share the possibilities of what ‘might’ be if they are concerned about what currently ‘is’.
2. The coaching session can be a great place to ‘try things on for size’.
3. Give them the time to reflect, time to consider their answers.

Coaching clients with a C-Style preference

1. You will need to be pay attention to detail, be accurate in what you say and what you send via e-mail and show that you have the credentials to take them through the coaching process…..and that’s before you start!
2. Understand that they will want time to think things through, reflect, do some research, and consider multiple options – ask them what further information they might need to help move things forward.
3. You can help them to understand that sometimes things do not have to always be perfect before deciding to take action.

Learn the language of DISC to:

• Identify your own preferred style – it’s a great self-awareness tool.
• Understand how to modify your own preferences to tailor the sessions more effectively to your client, enabling them to gain greater results and achieve the success that they seek. 
• Develop the DISC advanced people-reading skills to help you build rapport quickly and effectively.
• Identify the strengths/positive traits of any person as this will help you help them achieve their goals

These are just SOME of the benefits of using DISC with your coaching clients. DISC will make a difference to you, your clients and your business.

Take the guesswork out of interactions and take your coaching business to the next level.    

For those of you that want to know more about DISC and how to use this powerful information to better manage interactions with others, join us at our next DISC Certification Workshop  

DISC is included for students as part of The Coaching Academy’s Life Coaching Diploma and is available as a Certification Workshop for non-students.