Step Three: What is Your Coaching Style?

Every coach possesses a unique coaching style, primarily shaped by their Behavioral Style and a function of your personality. Understanding your coaching style not only enhances your effectiveness but also allows you to adapt to various situations, a crucial element of your Coaching Philosophy. While some coaches are highly adaptable, tailoring their approach to meet the needs of their athletes, others may rely on a one-size-fits-all method, which research shows is less effective.

Adopting an Athlete-Centered Approach

We encourage you to embrace an Athlete-Centered approach to coaching. This philosophy places the needs and development of your athletes at the forefront. Effective coaching is rooted in a genuine concern for both the physical and emotional safety of your athletes. When athletes feel secure, they can perform at their best; if their safety is compromised, their ability to engage goes into survival mode.

As Jim Tunney famously said, “Athletes don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” This approach necessitates an understanding of the various coaching styles within the DISC Model, enabling you to adapt your methods to suit individual athletes.

The CoachDISC Behavioral Model identifies four distinct coaching styles, each with varying effectiveness depending on the situation and the athletes involved. The goal is to cultivate the ability to effectively utilize all four styles, as each has its place in coaching. However, most coaches will have a preferred style, which is influenced by their personality and can be revealed through a CoachDISC Profile.

For instance, many coaches are familiar with the Dominant style, characterized by directive communication where the coach dictates the program and activities. While this approach can be effective in certain situations, over-reliance on it can undermine athletes’ emotional commitment and motivation.

In contrast, Athlete-Centered Coaching emphasizes flexibility, allowing coaches to effectively employ all four styles while often leaning into the Steady style. This involves asking questions and actively listening, which encourages athletes to engage in their own decision-making processes. This approach can lead to improved performance, especially in competitive settings where coaches cannot make decisions on behalf of their athletes.

Refer to Appendix 1 in your workbook for a comprehensive overview of the DISC Model. It includes a one-page estimator to help you identify your likely CoachDISC Profile.