Common themes that emerge when supporting women in business or returning to work are a lack of confidence and imposter syndrome. Focusing on our strengths, and really taking time to explore what we are good at, helps to increase confidence and banish imposter syndrome to the back benches.
I believe that understanding yourself is a fundamental first step in figuring out our strengths and subsequently progressing our personal and professional development. Once you understand yourself and ‘where you’re at’, you can start to plan your way forward.
One approach to doing this is using a psychometric profiling tool along with a series of coaching conversations. The advantage of using a psychometric to accelerating this understanding is that it provides an objective view to describe your behavioural style and preferences.
The profile is then a framework to build your coaching conversation on within the coaching relationship and beyond. A robust and reliable psychometric can also let the ‘real’ self shine through and is particularly beneficial if you require some convincing of your strengths, how others see you or the value you bring to a team and organisation.
If you welcome data and information to corroborate decisions or direction of travel, a psychometric can also be a great way to validate what your true self will benefit from and expel any negative thoughts.
Just this morning, a client said to me: “Reading this I fell in love with myself again”.
Therefore, I believe using psychometrics in coaching offers benefits but it is only part of the story. It identifies tendencies and preferences and gives a starting point, but the real magic happens in the conversation with your coach.
I have been using psychometric tools in leadership development and coaching for ten years and it is important to find the balance between the quality of the tool, ie reliability and accuracy, and the needs of the individual, ensuring the information is both digestible and applicable – otherwise it will become another report gathering dust on a shelf.
It is important to remember that a psychometric profile is only a lens to look at yourself and others through. It will support you to reach your destination but not the final destination in itself.
I find them hugely beneficial in exploring our strengths as they give us a platform for a coaching conversation. I see the positive results with my clients every single day.
If you are interested in hearing about my approach or working with me, please get in touch at beth@bespokeconsulting.org.
Beth Macleod is a Careering Into Motherhood partner coach: www.careeringintomotherhood.com/beth-macleod
October 24, 2022
