Health & Fitness Coaching

Client Personality Types Knowing the client's personality characteristics is an essential skill for Health & Fitness coaches. Doing so will provide insight into their communication style and allow you to instruct them more effectively. According to the Platinum Rule, we can classify people into four broad personality types. The Platinum Rule allows people to adjust their behavior to suit the specific wants and needs of others, in contrast to the Golden Rule's emphasis on treating others as one would like to be treated. The "Director" style is the most guarded and direct of the four personality types; the "Socializer" style is the most open and direct; the "Relater" style is the most indirect and open; and the "Thinker" style is the most guarded and indirect. The ability to work with clients with varying behavioral styles will be enhanced by an understanding of these personality types. Having a firm grasp of both your own and your clients' personality types is essential.

The following covers an in-depth examination of each of these personality types and offers guidance on how to effectively collaborate with them.

The Socializer excels in displaying excitement, charisma, strength of argument, hospitality, and kindness. They flourish by seeking and receiving external recognition and rewards. They possess an unwavering positive outlook and a great deal of charm, which enables them to effectively inspire enthusiasm in others for their ideas. These attributes enable them to exert influence on individuals and forge alliances in order to achieve their objectives. They exhibit impatience, a dislike for being alone, and a limited ability to focus, leading to rapid boredom. Socializers take risks and tend to make decisions based on intuition, which is not always bad. Socializers have a tendency to draw broad conclusions based on limited information. Exaggerators may not be inclined to complete their follow-up tasks.

Coaching this personality type:

They rely on external validation to acknowledge their accomplishments and achieve their objectives. Failure to observe or communicate these occurrences will prevent their return.

Ensure to provide highly detailed directives and emphasize the importance of strictly following your instructions.

Maintain their concentration, particularly while their colleagues or friends are around. They may want to show you to their acquaintances, which is beneficial for their own motivation.

Directors are those who are focused on achieving certain objectives and thrive when they influence both people and circumstances. Directors prioritize efficiency and are willing to deviate from the norms. They believe that it is more convenient to seek forgiveness than to seek permission. Directors embrace challenges, assert their authority, and dive into problem-solving with determination. They possess a high level of speed and efficiency, focusing on completing tasks promptly and independently.

Consequently, they grow frustrated by any form of delay. They possess a strong desire and a need to exert control, which can result in them being obstinate, demanding, and lacking empathy towards others.

Coaching this personality type:

Punctuality is essential, which entails beginning your lesson or session with the client promptly at the designated time.

Ensure that you provide them with explicit instructions, or they may engage in excessive self-evaluation and drive themselves to extremes.

Articulate your instructions with conviction and emphasize the reasoning behind them.

Ensure that you provide a clear and concise explanation of the purpose and advantage of stretching. This type of personality has a reputation for discounting the need to stretch.

People who are relatable are kind and caring. Out of the four styles, they are the most concerned with others. Relaters become excellent friends, faithful workers, and attentive listeners. They are friendly because of their easygoing attitude. They establish robust networks of individuals who are dependable, willing to support one another, and outstanding team members. Relators might put up with uncomfortable surroundings instead of taking a chance on change. When faced with change, they become frustrated because they favor situations as they are. They make an effort to keep themselves balanced, steady, and composed. Relaters are polite, amiable, and eager to delegate tasks when they are at work. They are tenacious workers, excellent strategists, and excellent followers. Since they don't want to upset anyone, Relaters follow the crowd even when they disagree. They take longer to make decisions because they want to involve others in the process, seek security, and mitigate risk.

Coaching this personality type:

This is the optimal personality type for a team training session. They have a strong desire to engage in conversations and actively listen to others.

They are comfortable with the status quo and thrive when given advance notice about impending format or style changes.

If expectations are unclear, they will avoid making decisions.

Thinkers are individuals who possess strong analytical skills, exhibit perseverance, and approach tasks in an organized manner. They derive satisfaction from engaging in problem-solving activities. They possess a strong focus on tasks and details, prioritizing content over style. They consistently maintain emotional composure and may feel uneasy in the presence of more extroverted individuals, such as socializers. Intellectual individuals possess elevated standards for themselves and others, leading to a tendency to be excessively judgmental. When their inclination towards perfectionism becomes excessive, it can lead to challenges and delays in decision-making, which is commonly known as "analysis paralysis."

Thinkers exhibit a tendency to make decisions at a measured and leisurely pace. They conduct research, do comparisons, assess challenges, identify limitations, and thereafter proceed with action. Intellectuals are disturbed by unexpected events and problems, hence their conservative choices. Intellectuals are inherently doubtful; therefore, they want to have commitments documented in written form.

Coaching this personality type:

Make them a part of the plan. Make sure that the client adheres to the plan.

It's essential to let them know when things are going to be challenging to prevent them from developing a negative self-image.

Provide them with an outline of the next session's objectives.