Discover Your Coaching Style: Identify Your Strengths and Grow as a Leader

Have you ever wondered what kind of coach you are? Do you lead with empathy, push for growth, or craft structured plans for success? Every coach approaches leadership differently, and that’s what makes coaching such a powerful and personal process. Some coaches inspire with compassion. Others motivate with drive and structure. The key is understanding how you naturally lead so that you can develop your strengths, nurture your team, and achieve lasting results.

Why Knowing Your Coaching Style Matters

Coaching is not one-size-fits-all. The more you understand your natural approach, the more intentional you can be about how you communicate, support, and challenge others. Knowing your style helps you:

• Communicate more effectively with your team or clients

• Build stronger, trust-based relationships

• Recognize your strengths and blind spots

• Lead with greater confidence and purpose

  
  

At Enhanced DNA: Develop, Nurture, Achieve, we believe that self-awareness is the foundation of growth. Our “Identify Your Coaching Style” assessment is designed to help you gain that awareness so you can elevate your impact as a coach and leader.

Take the Assessment: Discover Your Unique Coaching Style

We created the “Identify Your Coaching Style” assessment to help you pinpoint your core strengths and see how they combine to create your unique coaching approach. Once you’ve completed the assessment, you’ll receive your two highest-scoring areas of strength.

Every leader brings a different energy and philosophy to the coaching process. From the Encourager who uplifts and supports to the Strategist who thrives on planning and execution, these styles represent the diverse ways leaders connect, challenge, and develop others.

Whether you find yourself as a Visionary, Connector, Challenger, or Teacher, remember that no style is “better” than another. Each has its purpose, and your effectiveness comes from knowing how and when to use your strengths.

Below, you’ll find the some of the most prevalent coaching styles that emerge from these paired strengths. Each style has its own advantages, unique influence, and areas to watch. Use this list to explore where you naturally stand out and where you may want to stretch or grow.

The Mentor (High in Self-Awareness + Development Focus)

You bring wisdom and experience, guiding others through insight and reflection.

You’re not just an advisor—you’re a trusted guide, helping others uncover their strengths and find their way forward. You’re always ready to share insights and reflections that fuel growth.

Pros: Encourages deep reflection, builds trust, and supports long-term growth.

Challenges: May lean too much on past experiences rather than adapting to new situations.

The Motivator (High in Empowerment + Emotional Intelligence)

You build confidence and keep energy high, encouraging belief in others' potential.

Your enthusiasm and energy are contagious, pushing others to embrace challenges and believe in themselves. You’re a constant source of inspiration.

Pros: Creates a positive, can-do environment; inspires action.

Challenges: Can sometimes overlook practical obstacles in the rush to inspire.

The Strategist (High in Development Focus + Communication)

You create structured paths to success and clearly communicate the way forward.

You provide clarity and direction, mapping out plans that help others move forward confidently. Your coaching ensures no one is left without a clear path.

Pros: Clarifies goals and steps; helps others take decisive action.

Challenges: May over-focus on structure and underplay emotional dynamics.

The Listener (High in Communication + Emotional Intelligence)

You foster psychological safety and trust, giving others the space to grow.

You’re a safe haven for others, making them feel heard and valued. Your deep listening empowers people to find their own answers.

Pros: Builds trust and openness; encourages self-reflection.

Challenges: May hesitate to challenge others or provide necessary direction.

The Challenger (High in Adaptability + Self-Awareness)

You push people to rise above their limits while staying grounded in your own awareness.

You balance self-awareness with a fearless approach to challenge. You push others beyond comfort zones—creating real breakthroughs.

Pros: Drives growth and resilience; fosters a strong mindset.

Challenges: May feel too intense for some, risking disengagement.

The Advocate (High in Self-Awareness + Communication)

You connect deeply through conversation and guide others with authentic, purposeful dialogue.

Your words build bridges, and your genuine conversations create space for others to open up and grow. You’re a champion of clarity and connection.

Pros: Builds rapport and understanding; drives authentic conversations.

Challenges: May get caught up in dialogue without driving action.

The Visionary (High in Self-Awareness + Empowerment)

You help others see their own path forward, balancing self-awareness with a drive to build others up.

You’re future-focused, blending self-awareness with empowerment to help others envision what’s possible and chase it.

Pros: Inspires others to dream big and pursue meaningful goals.

Challenges: May be seen as unrealistic or idealistic at times.

Don't see your pairing? Download the full Guide to 22 Distinct Paths to Growth to see all 22 coaching styles.

How to Use Your Results

Once you identify your top two styles, take a few moments to reflect:

• How do these styles show up in your daily leadership or coaching conversations?

• What strengths do others most often notice in you?

• What’s one area you could intentionally strengthen?

• How might your style influence your communication, feedback, or decision-making?

  
  

Pair your results with a growth plan using the SMAART Goals or the GROW Coaching Model. These tools help you set focused goals, stay accountable, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Continue Your Growth Journey

Understanding your coaching style is just the beginning. In my upcoming book, Enhancing Your Leadership DNA: A Guide to Effective Coaching, (currently available for preorder), you’ll learn how to apply these styles in real-world leadership situations. From building trust to providing feedback and fostering accountability, you’ll discover practical tools to enhance your leadership “DNA”.

Ready to Discover Your Style?

Take the “Identify Your Coaching Style” assessment today and uncover the kind of coach you were meant to be. Reflect on your results, embrace your unique strengths, and start enhancing your coaching DNA, because great leaders are not born, they’re developed. If you’re looking for ways to improve your coaching skills, an executive coaching session can help you identify your next steps. Book your Free Discovery Session here.

DEVELOP YOUR STRENGTHS. NURTURE YOUR VISION. ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS.

Denola M. Burton is the Founder and CEO of Enhanced DNA: Develop Nurture Achieve, LLC and Enhanced DNA Publishing. Through Enhanced DNA, Denola develops and nurtures individuals and organizations to achieve their Leadership, Communication and Performance goals and objectives. Denola is also an author and publisher and through Enhanced DNA Publishing, assists new and newer authors in publishing their books according to the standards of the Independent Book Publisher's Association (IBPA). Denola retired from Eli Lilly and Company after 27 years where the majority of her career was focused on Employee Relations/Human Resources. Interested in becoming an author? Check out Denola's award-winning books, Enhancing Your Author DNA: Step-by-Step Publishing Guide and Enhancing Your Leadership, Communication and Performance DNA. Her newest book, Enhancing Your Leadership DNA: A Guide to Effective Coaching is available for pre-order now!

You can connect with Denola/Enhanced DNA HR on Facebook or LinkedIN  or send a message to DenolaBurton@EnhancedDNA1.com