The 20 Best Coaching Assessment Tools

Coaching assessment tools are essential for helping online coaches gain deeper insights into their clients’ personalities, strengths, and areas for growth. These tools not only provide a structured approach to understanding clients, but also helps in setting SMART goals. 

However, with so many assessment tools available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. To save you time and effort, I’ve researched and compiled the best coaching assessment tools specifically designed for online coaches like yourself. 

Skip ahead:

Quick facts: Best coaching assessment tools 

 

Tool	Best for	Platforms to use	Pricing
DISC Personality Assessment	Understanding communication styles and improving interpersonal dynamics	DISC Profile Truity	$18 – $3,795 Free
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)	Understanding personality preferences and decision-making styles	The Myers-Briggs Company	£1,395 – £2,995 (for the certification)
Values In Action (VIA) Strengths Survey	Identifying and developing character strengths	VIA Character	Free
The Wheel of Life	Assessing life balance across various personal and professional areas	MTD Training	Free
The Big Five Personality Traits	Getting a comprehensive, science-backed view of personality traits	Truity TestGorilla	Free Free
The Enneagram	Understanding core motivations and emotional patterns for personal growth	Cloverleaf Truity	Free Free
Gallup CliftonStrengths	Identifying and developing strengths for personal and professional success	Gallup	$24.99 – $59.99
Hogan Assessments	Predicting workplace performance and identifying leadership potential and risks	Hogan Assessments	Contact their sales team
Kolbe A Index	Understanding natural problem-solving styles and maximizing productivity	Kolbe Corp	The test is free but the results cost $55
Leadership Skills Inventory (LSI)	Assessing and developing leadership competencies across multiple skill areas	CRG Leader	$45 – $147
Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI)	Assessing and developing specific leadership behaviors based on proven leadership practices	The Leadership Challenge	$160 – $250
The GROW Model	Structured goal-setting and problem-solving in personal and professional development	Performance Consultants	Contact the sales team
Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)	Understanding and improving conflict management styles in different situations	Kilmann Diagnostics	$40 – $50 (per person)
Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI)	Identifying thinking preferences and improving problem-solving, communication, and team collaboration	Think Herrmann	Contact the sales team
FIRO-B	Understanding interpersonal needs and improving team dynamics	Psychometrics Canada	Contact the sales team
Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI)	Assessing emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness through 360-degree feedback	Coaching Pacific	$465 – $1,695
The Birkman Method	Identifying behavior, motivations, and stress management in personal and career development	Birkman	Contact the sales team
MHS EQ-i 2.0	Providing comprehensive insights into emotional and social intelligence	The Myers-Briggs Company	$1,750 (for the virtual certification program)
The Learning Styles Inventory (LSI)	Identifying individual learning preferences to optimize education and training	BlockSurvey Korn Ferry	Free $175
Team Diagnostic Survey (TDS)	Evaluating team dynamics and improving collaboration and performance within teams	The Leadership Sphere	Contact the team

Why do online coaches need coaching assessment tools?

There are many reasons why online coaches need coaching assessment tools. Here are some of them:

1. Tracking progress and development

Coaching assessment tools allow online coaches to monitor and track their clients’ progress over time. By using standardized assessments, coaches can measure growth in key areas, such as skills, mindset, and performance. This way, both coaches and clients can pinpoint improvements or areas that need more attention. 

2. Personalized coaching strategies 

Every client is different, with unique needs, strengths, and challenges. Coaching assessment tools provide a baseline for understanding a client’s current abilities, pain points, and preferences. This information helps online coaches tailor their approach to each individual, which is more effective than a one-size-fits-all approach.  

3. Objective evaluation of outcomes 

Online coaches often need to evaluate the effectiveness of their coaching sessions, and assessment tools offer an objective way to do this. These tools provide quantifiable data that helps coaches assess the impact of their strategies and make adjustments, if necessary. Instead of relying on subjective feedback alone, coaches can use hard data to back up their decisions, making their coaching more evidence-based and results-oriented.  

4. Improving accountability 

Coaching assessment tools increase accountability for both the coach and the client. With clear benchmarks and regular assessments, clients can see exactly what they need to work on and stay focused on their development. Coaches can use these tools to make sure they’re delivering value and achieving the outcomes they promised to the client. 

5. Streamlining the coaching process

Online coaches often manage multiple clients simultaneously, and coaching assessment tools help streamline the entire process. These tools automate the collection and analysis of data, saving coaches time and effort. With a centralized platform for assessments, reports, and feedback, coaches can efficiently manage their sessions, track progress, and plan future sessions without spending extra time on manual work.

Read: How to start an online coaching business (Ultimate guide)

How to choose the best coaching assessment tool

There are tons of coaching assessment tools out there, all of which cater to different things, including personality types, leadership types, problem-solving skills, and more. However, if you’re looking for the best coaching assessment tool, here are some factors to consider: 

1. Your clients’ needs and goals 

The assessment tool you choose should align with your clients’ specific needs. Ask yourself: What are your clients looking to achieve? Are they focused on self-awareness, leadership development, career progression, emotional intelligence, or personal growth? 

For example, DISC or MBTI are great for leadership development, while VIA Strengths or the Wheel of Life might be more ideal for life coaching or personal development. 

2. Coaching niche 

Different tools serve different coaching niches. Tools that emphasize strengths or personality fit for roles (e.g., MBTI, Gallup CliftonStrengths) are helpful if you’re a career coach. In contrast, life coaches may prefer holistic tools like the Wheel of Life or the Enneagram.  

3. Ease of use for clients 

Choose a coaching assessment tool that is easy for your clients to understand and engage with. If you work with clients who prefer a quick and easy assessment, DISC, VIA Strengths, or the Wheel of Life might be a better fit than more complex tools like the Enneagram, which require deeper interpretation.  

4. Scientific validity 

Before picking a tool, assess its scientific backing. Tools like the Big Five Personality Traits and Emotional Intelligence (EQ-i) have strong empirical support, while others like MBTI, despite popularity, face criticism for not being science-backed. 

5. Depth of insights 

Some assessments provide surface-level feedback, while others dive deep into emotional and motivational drivers. So, ask yourself if you need a tool that offers deep psychological insights or whether you’d prefer something more action-oriented and practical. 

For instance, the Enneagram provides rich insights into people’s motivations and fears, while the GROW model is more straightforward and goal-focused.  

6. Scalability 

If you coach groups or teams, look for tools that can be scaled for multiple users and provide collective insights (e.g., DISC, 360-degree feedback). This way, you can use a tool for both individual and group coaching sessions, if needed. 

7. Cost and accessibility 

Some coaching assessment tools, like VIA Strengths and the Wheel of Life, are free or low-cost, while others require some investment or certification (e.g., MBTI, Hogan Personality Inventory). You’ll need to balance your budget and the value the tool provides. 

If you’re just starting out or operating with limited resources, opt for free tools like VIA Strengths or affordable tools like DISC. You can expand to more expensive tools as you scale your business (and income).

20 best coaching assessment tools 

Now that you know why you need coaching assessment tools and the factors to consider when choosing the right one, here are 20 top-tier coaching assessment tools you can explore. 

Skip ahead here:

 

Tool	Pros and cons
DISC Personality Assessment	Pros  Easy to understand and apply Provides actionable insights into communication styles Widely recognized in business and leadership coaching Cons  Over-simplifies complex personalitie Paid versions can be costly
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)	Pros  Provides detailed and individualized insights Widely used and recognized Encourages self-awareness and personal growth Cons Criticized for lack of scientific reliability and validity Costly to become certified
Values in Action (VIA) Strengths Survey	Pros  Free to use and easily accessible Focuses on positive attributes rather than deficits Simple and straightforward to interpret Cons Generalized feedback without much depth Doesn’t address areas for improvement Limited action steps based on the results
The Wheel of Life	Pros Encourages holistic reflection on life balance Simple and intuitive for clients to use Highly customizable to individual needs Cons Very subjective; results depend on self-perception Lacks depth for clients looking for more concrete analysis Can oversimplify complex life issues
The Big Five Personality Traits	Pros Backed by extensive scientific research Offers a nuanced and detailed view of personality Applicable to many coaching areas, including career and leadership Cons Some clients may find the trait labels hard to relate to Lacks the “actionable” clarity of simpler models like DISC
The Enneagram	Pros  Offers deep insights into motivations and fears Focuses on personal growth and transformation Dynamic and adaptable to different life situations Cons Complex and can be difficult to interpret without experience Less scientifically validated than other models Some clients may feel overwhelmed by the depth of the analysis
Gallup CliftonStrengths	Pros  Strengths-based approach Scientifically validated Highly customizable for different contexts Cons Focuses only on strengths, not weaknesses Limited depth in personality insights Full results are hidden behind a paywall
Hogan Assessments	Pros  Predicts workplace performance and identifies leadership risks (derailers) Validated by scientific research Holistic view of personality, values, and risks Cons Primarily workplace-focused; not much emphasis on personal growth Complex for some clients Can emphasize negative traits (derailers)
Kolbe A Index	Pros  Focuses on natural problem-solving style (conative) Strengths-based approach Useful for team dynamics and productivity Cons Narrow focus on problem-solving (not personality) Less known, may require more explanation Self-reported data can impact accuracy
Leadership Skills Inventory (LSI)	Pros Comprehensive leadership assessment Actionable feedback that supports long-term development Applicable across leadership levels Cons  Focused on leadership only Lacks personality/motivational insights May require additional tools for non-leadership coaching
Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI)	Pros  Focuses on actionable leadership behaviors Based on a proven leadership model (Five Practices) Suitable for leaders at all levels Tracks leadership growth over time Cons Primarily focused on leadership in workplace settings Lacks insights into personality or motivations
The GROW Model	Pros  Simple and easy to use for goal setting and problem-solving Highly adaptable to different coaching contexts Focuses on achieving tangible, actionable results Encourages client reflection and accountability Cons Lacks depth in addressing emotional or psychological issues Self-directed, requiring clients to generate their own options May not be sufficient for complex or deeply rooted challenges
Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)	Pros  Simple and practical for understanding conflict management styles Encourages flexibility in handling different conflict situations Useful for improving interpersonal relationships and team dynamics Cons Focused only on conflict resolution, lacking broader personality insights Self-reported, which may introduce bias Limited depth for addressing underlying emotional drivers of conflict
Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI)	Pros  Provides insights into cognitive preferences for problem-solving and communication Encourages cognitive flexibility and creativity by developing less dominant styles Excellent for team dynamics and collaboration Cons Focuses only on thinking styles, lacking emotional or behavioral insights Needs to be paired with other tools for a more comprehensive understanding of personality.
FIRO-B	Pros  Provides clear, actionable feedback for personal growth Improves team dynamics by identifying interpersonal needs Useful for leadership development in managing relationships Cons  Relies on self-reported data, which can be biased Oversimplifies complex interpersonal interactions Lacks focus on emotional intelligence and deeper psychological insights
Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI)	Pros  Provides a comprehensive view of emotional and social competencies Uses 360-degree feedback for well-rounded insights Offers actionable feedback for personal and professional growth Scientifically backed and widely respected Cons Time-consuming due to the 360-degree feedback process Relies on self-reported and peer feedback, which may be biased Focuses primarily on soft skills, not technical competencies Requires skilled interpretation to fully understand results
The Birkman Method	Pros  Provides a holistic view of behavior, motivations, and stress responses. Focuses on stress behaviors and unmet needs for better well-being Effective for career coaching and aligning roles with personal strengths Cons Complex reports that may require skilled interpretation High cost compared to other assessment tools Less emphasis on personality traits compared to other models
MHS EQ-i 2.0	Pros Provides comprehensive insights into emotional and social functioning Scientifically validated Customizable reports for leadership, workplace, or personal development Cons Costly compared to other emotional intelligence assessments Focuses solely on emotional intelligence, lacking assessment of technical skills
Learning Styles Inventory (LSI)	Pros  Provides clear insights into individual learning preferences. Widely applicable in educational and organizational settings. Useful for understanding diverse learning styles in team settings. Cons Focuses only on learning preferences, lacking depth in other areas. Limited scientific support for the concept of learning styles.
Team Diagnostic Survey (TDS)	Pros  Scientifically grounded in team effectiveness research Supports targeted interventions for enhancing team success Ideal for organizational development and leadership coaching Cons Complex and time-intensive to administer and interpret. Focuses solely on team dynamics, not individual performance. Can be costly for smaller teams or organizations.

 

1. DISC Personality Assessment 

Best for: Understanding communication styles and improving interpersonal dynamics

The DISC Personality Assessment is a behavioral assessment tool used by coaches to understand a client’s communication style, behavioral tendencies, and work preferences. It’s built around four primary personality traits: dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). 

The assessment involves answering a series of questions that rate preferences for specific behaviors. Based on responses, individuals are categorized into one or more of the four DISC categories. These traits help identify how individuals respond to challenges, influence others, manage pace, and adhere to rules and procedures at work and in relationships. 

DISC allows you to tailor your coaching strategies based on your client’s communication style. For example, a client with high dominance might benefit from a more direct and results-driven approach, while a client with high steadiness might need more support and reassurance during change. 

Platforms to use: DISC Profile (for paid DISC Assessments). Truity (free, one-size-fits-all DISC Assessment).

Pricing: DISC Profile charges between $18 – $3,795 for a wide range of products, including a Workplace Profile test ($90), admin account setups, productive conflict profile, and certification courses.

Pros 

• Easy to understand and apply
• Provides actionable insights into communication styles
• Widely recognized in business and leadership coaching

Cons 

• Over-simplifies complex personalities
• Paid versions can be costly 

2. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Best for: Understanding personality preferences and decision-making styles

In the early mid-20th century, Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers invented the popular MBTI, which is based on Carl Jung’s theories of psychological types. This self-reported inventory classifies individuals into 16 personality types based on preferences in four dichotomies: Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I), Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N), Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F), and Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P). 

Clients complete a questionnaire that measures their preferences in the four dichotomies. The results determine one of the 16 possible personality types (e.g., ENFP, INFJ, ISTJ). 

The results give you (and your clients) deeper insights into clients’ behaviors, motivations, and interpersonal relationships. This way, you can align your coaching strategy to each client’s unique personality type. For example, an introverted, intuitive (IN) client may prefer deep, reflective conversations, while an extroverted, sensing (ES) client may need more practical, action-oriented advice. 

Platform to use: The Myers-Briggs Company

Pricing: £1,395 – £2,995 (for the MBTI certification program)

Pros 

• Provides detailed and individualized insights
• Widely used and recognized
• Encourages self-awareness and personal growth

Cons

• Criticized for lack of scientific reliability and validity
• Costly to become certified

3. Values in Action (VIA) Strengths Survey 

Best for:

The VIA Strengths Survey is a widely used psychological tool developed by Dr. Martin Seligman and Dr. Christopher Peterson in 2004 as part of the positive psychology movement. It identifies and categorizes 24 universal character strengths under six virtues: Wisdom, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance, and Transcendence. 

The VIA survey shifts the focus from weaknesses to strengths, helping coaches create a positive, strengths-based approach to personal development. It also helps individuals understand their unique strengths and how to leverage them for personal growth, fulfillment, and well-being. 

Platform to use: VIA Character

Pricing: Free

Pros 

• Free to use and easily accessible
• Focuses on positive attributes rather than deficits
• Simple and straightforward to interpret

Cons

• Generalized feedback without much depth
• Doesn’t address areas for improvement
• Limited action steps based on the results  

4. The Wheel of Life 

Best for: Assessing life balance across various personal and professional areas

The Wheel of Life is a simple but powerful self-assessment tool coaches use to help clients evaluate the balance in their lives across different areas, such as health, career, relationships, and personal growth. 

It’s typically presented as a circular diagram divided into segments, each representing a key area of life. Clients rate their satisfaction or fulfillment in each area on a scale, and the results create a visual “wheel” that highlights where they might need more focus or improvement. 

[Alt: coaching assessment tool, the wheel of life]

This helps you see where your clients may be struggling or thriving, so you know where to focus your energy. For example, if your client rates their health or relationships much lower than other areas, you can prioritize working on these aspects to improve overall life satisfaction. 

Platform to use: MTD Training

Pricing: Free

Pros

• Encourages holistic reflection on life balance
• Simple and intuitive for clients to use
• Highly customizable to individual needs

Cons

• Very subjective; results depend on self-perception
• Lacks depth for clients looking for more concrete analysis
• Can oversimplify complex life issues

5. The Big Five Personality Traits 

Best for: Getting a comprehensive, science-backed view of personality traits

The Big Five Personality Traits, also known as the Five-Factor Model (FFM), is a scientifically validated assessment that measures five broad dimensions of personality: Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (often abbreviated as OCEAN). These traits provide a comprehensive overview of how people behave, think, and interact with others, making it a popular tool for coaching, particularly in personal development, career coaching, and leadership coaching.

Since each of the five traits covers distinct aspects of behavior, you can customize their strategies based on your client’s strengths and weaknesses. For instance, highly conscientious clients may excel in structured environments, while those high in openness might prefer creative problem-solving. 

You are also able to guide your clients in improving specific traits, such as lowering neuroticism (emotional instability) or increasing conscientiousness (organization and diligence), for greater personal and professional success. 

Platforms to use: Truity and TestGorilla

Pricing:  Free (both platforms)

Pros

• Backed by extensive scientific research
• Offers a nuanced and detailed view of personality
• Applicable to many coaching areas, including career and leadership

Cons

• Some clients may find the trait labels hard to relate to
• Lacks the “actionable” clarity of simpler models like DISC

6. The Enneagram

Best for: Understanding core motivations and emotional patterns for personal growth

The Enneagram is a personality assessment tool that categorizes individuals into nine distinct personality types, each with its own core motivations, fears, and patterns of behavior. 

These personality types include The Reformer, The Helper, The Achiever, The Individualist, The Investigator, The Loyalist, The Enthusiast, The Challenger, and The Peacemaker. The nine types are interconnected, and each one influences how individuals perceive and respond to the world around them.

[Alt: coaching assessment tools, the enneagram]

The results help you understand the underlying reasons behind your client’s behavior, so you can understand their automatic responses, emotional triggers, and limiting beliefs. This way, you can tailor your strategies to resonate with each person. For instance, a Type 3 (Achiever) may need help balancing work and personal life, while a Type 6 (Loyalist) might need guidance on building trust and overcoming anxiety. 

Platforms to use: Cloverleaf and Truity

Pricing:  Free (both platforms) 

Pros 

• Offers deep insights into motivations and fears
• Focuses on personal growth and transformation
• Dynamic and adaptable to different life situations

Cons

• Complex and can be difficult to interpret without experience
• Less scientifically validated than other models
• Some clients may feel overwhelmed by the depth of the analysis

7. Gallup CliftonStrengths 

Best for: Identifying and developing strengths for personal and professional success

The Gallup CliftonStrengths, formerly known as StrengthsFinder, is an assessment tool designed to help individuals identify their natural talents across 34 distinct themes. The assessment reveals a person’s top strengths, which can then be developed into consistent and productive talents in both personal and professional contexts. 

Since CliftonStrengths focuses on strengths, you can help your clients leverage these talents to achieve greater success and fulfillment. This is particularly helpful for clients who struggle with confidence, as it shifts the focus from weaknesses to their inherent abilities. 

You’re also able to adapt your coaching strategies to each client’s unique profile. For example, a client with strengths in “Achiever” and “Focus” may benefit from goal-oriented strategies, while someone strong in “Empathy” or “Harmony” might be more suited to people-centric approaches. 

Platform to use: Gallup

Pricing: The assessment costs between $24.99 and $59.99.

Pros 

• Strengths-based approach
• Scientifically validated
• Highly customizable for different contexts

Cons

• Focuses only on strengths, not weaknesses
• Limited depth in personality insights
• Full results are hidden behind a paywall 

8. Hogan Assessments 

Best for: Predicting workplace performance and identifying leadership potential and risks

The Hogan Assessments are a set of personality assessments designed to predict workplace performance, leadership potential, and interpersonal effectiveness. The three main assessments are the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI), which evaluates normal personality traits; the Hogan Development Survey (HDS), which looks at derailment risks; and the Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory (MVPI), which assesses values and motivators.

Hogan Assessments provide insights into how your client’s personality traits are likely to influence their behavior and success in the workplace. You can use these insights to help them understand their strengths and areas of improvement, guiding them toward better workplace performance and effective leadership. 

Platform to use: Hogan Assessments

Pricing: Contact the sales team for pricing information.    

Pros 

• Predicts workplace performance and identifies leadership risks (derailers)
• Validated by scientific research
• Holistic view of personality, values, and risks

Cons

• Primarily workplace-focused; not much emphasis on personal growth
• Complex for some clients
• Can emphasize negative traits (derailers)

Read: Top 21 leadership courses to ignite your potential

9. Kolbe A Index

Best for: Understanding natural problem-solving styles and maximizing productivity

The Kolbe A Index is a unique personality assessment that focuses on identifying an individual’s natural problem-solving style, known as conative abilities.  It categorizes people into four key action modes: Fact Finder, Follow Thru, Quick State, and Implementor. 

By assessing your client’s instinctive methods, you can help them leverage their natural talents to achieve goals more efficiently. For instance, a client strong in Fact Finder may thrive in research-based tasks, while a Quick Start might excel in brainstorming and innovation.

As with other assessments, the results of the Kolbe A Index allow you to create strategies specifically for each client. A Follow Thru individual might need structured, step-by-step coaching, while Quick Start individual may benefit from more flexibility and spontaneity in their sessions. 

Platform to use: Kolbe Corp

Pricing: The test is free but the results cost $55.  

Pros 

• Focuses on natural problem-solving style (conative)
• Strengths-based approach
• Useful for team dynamics and productivity

Cons

• Narrow focus on problem-solving (not personality)
• Less known, may require more explanation
• Self-reported data can impact accuracy

10. The Leadership Skills Inventory

Best for: Assessing and developing leadership competencies across multiple skill areas

The Leadership Skills Inventory (LSI) is a comprehensive tool that evaluates a wide range of leadership skills, from communication and decision-making to emotional intelligence and team management. This makes it a valuable tool for leadership coaching.

Once the LSI highlights key areas for growth, you can create a strategy to help your client target those areas. For instance, if a client struggles with decision-making or delegation, you can focus on building confidence in these specific areas.

The LSI provides a baseline assessment of leadership skills, which can be used to track progress over time. You can administer the inventory at different stages of the coaching journey, allowing clients to see a measurable growth in their leadership capabilities and adjust their goals accordingly. 

Platform to use: CRG Leader

Pricing: The LSI costs between $45 and $147.

Pros

• Comprehensive leadership assessment
• Actionable feedback that supports long-term development
• Applicable across leadership levels

Cons 

• Focused on leadership only
• Lacks personality/motivational insights
• May require additional tools for non-leadership coaching 

11. Leadership Practices Inventory 

Best for: Assessing and developing specific leadership behaviors based on proven leadership practices

The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) is a leadership development tool based on Kouzes’ and Posner’s Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership framework. It assesses leadership behaviors across five areas: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. 

Clients complete a self-assessment, and feedback is collected from their peers, subordinates, and managers to provide a comprehensive view of leadership behaviors. You, as the coach, use the feedback to identify areas of strength and improvement, and create targeted leadership development plans for each client. 

Platform to use: The Leadership Challenge

Pricing: The LPI Assessment costs between $160 and $250.

Pros 

• Focuses on actionable leadership behaviors
• Based on a proven leadership model (Five Practices)
• Suitable for leaders at all levels
• Tracks leadership growth over time

Cons

• Primarily focused on leadership in workplace settings
• Lacks insights into personality or motivations

12. The GROW Model

Best for: Structured goal-setting and problem-solving in personal and professional development

The GROW Model is a simple and widely used coaching framework that helps individuals set and achieve goals by breaking down the coaching process into four stages: Goal, Reality, Options, and Will. It is action-oriented and helps you guide clients toward structured problem-solving and goal attainment. 

Here’s how the GROW model is set up: 

• Goal: Define SMART goals that the client wants to work toward. 
• Reality: Explore the client’s current situation and challenges to understand the context and identify barriers.
• Options: Brainstorm potential strategies and solutions to overcome obstacles and achieve the goal. 
• Will: Create an action plan, set commitment levels, and decide on next steps. 

Platform to use: Performance Consultants

Pricing: Contact the sales team for pricing information. 

Pros 

• Simple and easy to use for goal-setting and problem-solving
• Highly adaptable to different coaching contexts
• Focuses on achieving tangible, actionable results
• Encourages client reflection and accountability

Cons

• Lacks depth in addressing emotional or psychological issues
• Self-directed, requiring clients to generate their own options
• May not be sufficient for complex or deeply rooted challenges 

13. Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)

Best for: Understanding and improving conflict management styles in different situations

The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) is a tool designed to assess an individual’s preferred style of handling conflict. It categorizes conflict management into five modes: Competing, Collaborating, Compromising, Avoiding, and Accommodating.

Clients complete a questionnaire that identifies their dominant conflict-handling style and less dominant ones. The results help you (and your client) understand the client’s natural approach to conflict and how it affects their relationships and outcomes.

From there, you can guide them in adapting their conflict approach based on the situation, which will improve their interpersonal dynamics and conflict management within teams. 

Platform to use: Kilmann Diagnostics

Pricing: The TKI Assessment costs $40-50 per person, depending on how many tests you’d like to buy. 

Pros 

• Simple and practical for understanding conflict management styles
• Encourages flexibility in handling different conflict situations
• Useful for improving interpersonal relationships and team dynamics

Cons

• Focused only on conflict resolution, lacking broader personality insights
• Self-reported, which may introduce bias
• Limited depth for addressing underlying emotional drivers of conflict

14. Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument 

Best for: Identifying thinking preferences and improving problem-solving, communication, and team collaboration

The Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI) is a cognitive assessment tool that evaluates thinking preferences. It categorizes these preferences into four quadrants: Analytical, Practical, Relational, and Experimental. The HBDI is used to understand how individuals approach problem-solving, decision-making, and communication based on their dominant thinking styles.

Once your client completes the questionnaire and gets their personalized HBDI profile, you can guide them in adapting their communication style to different thinking preferences, which can improve interpersonal relationships and teamwork. 

If you’re doing team coaching, the HBDI can help you identify the diversity of thinking styles within a group, allowing for better collaboration and leveraging of different strengths.  

Platform to use: Think Herrmann

Pricing: Contact the sales team for pricing information. 

Pros 

• Provides insights into cognitive preferences for problem-solving and communication
• Encourages cognitive flexibility and creativity by developing less dominant styles
• Excellent for team dynamics and collaboration

Cons

• Focuses only on thinking styles, lacking emotional or behavioral insights
• Needs to be paired with other tools for a more comprehensive understanding of personality.

Read: How to become an online business coach: 9 steps to success

15. FIRO-B 

Best for: Understanding interpersonal needs and improving team dynamics

The FIRO-B (Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior) measures how individuals behave toward others and how they want others to behave toward them in three areas of interpersonal relationships: Inclusion, Control, and Affection. Each area is measured in two dimensions: Expressed (how much the individual expresses these behaviors toward others) and Wanted (how much the individual desires these behaviors from others). 

Clients answer a series of questions that evaluate how they tend to behave and what they express from others across these dimensions (Inclusion-Expressed, Inclusion-Wanted, Control-Expressed, Control-Wanted, Affection-Expressed, and Affection-Wanted). The results provide a profile that reveals interpersonal needs and behaviors, which you can use to help them improve communication, relationships, and team dynamics. 

Platform to use: Psychometrics Canada

Pricing: Contact the sales team

Pros 

• Provides clear, actionable feedback for personal growth
• Improves team dynamics by identifying interpersonal needs
• Useful for leadership development in managing relationships

Cons 

• Relies on self-reported data, which can be biased
• Oversimplifies complex interpersonal interactions
• Lacks focus on emotional intelligence and deeper psychological insights

16. Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI)

Best for: Assessing emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness through 360-degree feedback

The ESCI is an assessment tool that evaluates emotional and social competencies critical to effective leadership and interpersonal success. It measures how well individuals manage themselves and their relationships with others across four key areas: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.  

The ESCI is administered as a 360-degree assessment, meaning feedback is gathered from multiple sources, including the client themselves, and their colleagues, supervisors, and subordinates. This gives you a well-rounded perspective of your client, helping you see how they view themselves and how others perceive them. This way, you can help them identify their strengths and where they can improve. 

Platform to use: Coaching Pacific

Pricing: $465 – 1,695

Pros 

• Provides a comprehensive view of emotional and social competencies
• Uses 360-degree feedback for well-rounded insights
• Offers actionable feedback for personal and professional growth
• Scientifically backed and widely respected

Cons

• Time-consuming due to the 360-degree feedback process
• Relies on self-reported and peer feedback, which may be biased
• Focuses primarily on soft skills, not technical competencies
• Requires skilled interpretation to understand results fully

17. The Birkman Method 

Best for: Identifying behavior, motivations, and stress management in personal and career development

The Birkman Method is a personality and career assessment tool that provides insights into how people behave under stress, what their interests are, and what motivates them. It assesses four key areas: usual behavior, underlying needs, stress behavior, and interests and motivations.

Clients complete a questionnaire with over 300 questions, after which you get a detailed and customizable report with insights into your client’s work style, interpersonal dynamics, motivators, and stress responses. This way, you can craft strategies to help them understand what roles and environments they’ll thrive in, how to avoid burnout, and what they need to be successful both personally and professionally. 

Platform to use: Birkman

Pricing: Contact the sales team

Pros 

• Provides a holistic view of behavior, motivations, and stress responses.
• Focuses on stress behaviors and unmet needs for better well-being
• Effective for career coaching and aligning roles with personal strengths

Cons

• Complex reports that may require skilled interpretation
• High cost compared to other assessment tools
• Less emphasis on personality traits compared to other models

18. MHS EQ-i 2.0 

Best for: Providing comprehensive insights into emotional and social intelligence

The MHS EQ-i 2.0 (Emotional Quotient Inventory 2.0) is a scientifically validated emotional intelligence (EQ) assessment tool designed to measure a person’s emotional and social functioning across five competencies: self-perception, self-expression, interpersonal, decision-making, and stress management. 

Clients complete a self-report questionnaire, and their responses are used to generate a report detailing their EQ across these dimensions. The results help you understand and improve your client’s ability to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions and those of others. 

Platform to use: The Myers-Briggs Company

Pricing: $1,750 (for the virtual certification program)

Pros

• Provides comprehensive insights into emotional and social functioning
• Scientifically validated
• Customizable reports for leadership, workplace, or personal development

Cons

• Costly compared to other emotional intelligence assessments
• Focuses solely on emotional intelligence, lacking assessment of technical skills

19. The Learning Styles Inventory (LSI) 

Best for: Identifying individual learning preferences to optimize education and training

The LSI, developed by David Kolb, is a coaching assessment tool used to identify an individual’s preferred learning style based on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory. The LSI identifies four key learning styles, each based on how individuals perceive and process information: converging, diverging, assimilating, and accommodating. 

Clients complete a questionnaire that places them within one of these four styles based on how they prefer to absorb and retain information. You, as a coach, can use these results to tailor learning and development strategies to match your client’s natural preferences. 

Platforms to use: BlockSurvey and Korn Ferry

Pricing: On BlockSurvey, you can get a generic LSI assessment quiz for free. But you can buy Kolb’s LSI workbook on Korn Ferry for $175.  

Pros 

• Provides clear insights into individual learning preferences.
• Widely applicable in educational and organizational settings.
• Useful for understanding diverse learning styles in team settings.

Cons

• Focuses only on learning preferences, lacking depth in other areas.
• Limited scientific support for the concept of learning styles.

20. Team Diagnostic Survey (TDS)

Best for: Evaluating team dynamics and improving collaboration and performance within teams

The Team Diagnostic Survey (TDS) measures key factors that drive team success, such as communication, collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving capabilities. It evaluates team effectiveness across three main areas: 

• Essential conditions (real team, compelling goals/direction, collaborative structure);
• Key team functions (team coaching, team dynamics);
• Supportive context (resources and support, team rewards). 

Teams complete a structured questionnaire, and a report is compiled with insights into how well the team is functioning and what actions you can take to improve team effectiveness, e.g., improving communication and collaboration, streamlining work processes, and providing employee resources. 

Platforms to use: The Leadership Sphere

Pricing: Contact the team for pricing information. 

Pros 

• Scientifically grounded in team effectiveness research
• Supports targeted interventions for enhancing team success
• Ideal for organizational development and leadership coaching

Cons

• Complex and time-intensive to administer and interpret.
• Focuses solely on team dynamics, not individual performance.
• Can be costly for smaller teams or organizations.

Scale your coaching business with Thinkific. 

As an online coach, you might find it challenging to scale your business due to the need to cater to individual clients, each with unique requirements and goals. Balancing personalized coaching while trying to expand can feel overwhelming. This is where Thinkific comes into play. 

With Thinkific, you can offer various services, including 1:1 coaching, group coaching, webinars, Q&A sessions, workshops, and Ask Me Anything (AMA) events. This allows you to scale your offering beyond individualized sessions and engage larger audiences while still delivering value.

The integration of live webinars and workshops helps you to engage with your audience and generate leads. Through real-time interaction and direct feedback, you can provide targeted support to many clients simultaneously, reducing the time and effort needed for client management. Furthermore, you can easily monetize these events, which provides additional revenue streams to help scale your business sustainably.  

If you’d like to see how Thinkific can help you, sign up for a 14-day free trial today!