Coaching Behaviors Questionnaire
PsycTESTS Citation:
de Haan, E., & Nilsson, V. O. (2017). Coaching Behaviors Questionnaire [Database record]. Retrieved from
PsycTESTS. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/t65300-000
Instrument Type:
Inventory/Questionnaire
Test Format:
The Coaching Behaviors Questionnaire has 72 total items, consisting of 18 forced-choice questions, each having 4
answering categories (the user needs to distribute exactly 10 points over the four categories in such a way that they
correspond as much as possible with how they coach—or, in the feedback questionnaire, how they perceive their
coach/consultant/manager is coaching them).
Source:
de Haan, Erik, & Nilsson, Viktor O. (2017). Evaluating coaching behavior in managers, consultants, and coaches: A
model, questionnaire, and initial findings. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, Vol 69(4), 315-333.
doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cpb0000099
Permissions:
Test content may be reproduced and used for non-commercial research and educational purposes without seeking
written permission. Distribution must be controlled, meaning only to the participants engaged in the research or
enrolled in the educational activity. Any other type of reproduction or distribution of test content is not authorized
without written permission from the author and publisher. Always include a credit line that contains the source citation
and copyright owner when writing about or using any test.
PsycTESTS™ is a database of the American Psychological Association
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/t65300-000
You are asked to complete this questionnaire on your coaching style in helping conversations. It lists a number
of different ways in which you might act, and asks you to indicate how you tend to act with people as a coach.
You can in principle complete this questionnaire both when you are a qualified (internal or external) executive
coach and when you are a leader or manager, thinking about how you coach others inside your department or
organization, and direct reports.
What is your job role?
❍ Manager (1)
❍ Coach (2)
❍ Consultant (3)
What is your gender?
❍ Male (1)
❍ Female (2)
What is your age?
❍ Under 20 (1)
❍ 21–25 (2)
❍ 26–30 (3)
❍ 31–35 (4)
❍ 36–40 (5)
❍ 41–50 (6)
❍ 51–55 (7)
❍ 56–60 (8)
❍ 61 (9)
What is your country of origin?
Instructions
Listed below are many different ways in which you may act with people as a coach. In the following sets of four
statements, please distribute 10 points over each set, according to how you tend to act with people as a coach.
Please always use all 10 points. You may use zeros, if you feel they are appropriate.
None of these behaviors are good or bad in themselves. So there are no “right” or “wrong” answers. Don’t spend
too long considering your replies: a quick spontaneous answer is likely to be the most valuable. You will get the
most benefit from this exercise if you are completely honest. The questionnaire should take approximately 15
minutes to complete.
Please answer with respect to “how you tend to act with people as a coach” rather than “how you prefer to act.”
Coaching Behaviors Questionnaire
CBQ
PsycTESTS™ is a database of the American Psychological Association
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/t65300-000
Coaching Behaviors Questionnaire
CBQ
Example
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
a _0_ sit still and listen
b _6_ formulate and summarize their goals
c _2_ ask them what they would advise themselves
d _2_ give my own view
_______________________
Total _10_
Questionnaire
Please distribute 10 points over each statement and please answer with respect to “how you tend to act with
people as a coach” rather than “how you prefer to act.”
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
1a. let them know how a task, meeting, or job can be done really well _____
1b. capture my understanding of what they say in a model _____
1c. give constructive feedback regarding their mistakes or issues _____
1d. ask them how they feel about a current difficulty _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
2a. share my understanding of opportunities to learn and improve _____
2b. tell them how to get started on a task _____
2c. encourage them to feel good about themselves _____
2d. let them get on with finding their own answers _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
3a. note areas where I see room for improvement _____
3b. encourage them to express their feelings and emotions _____
3c. ask for their interpretation of a particular situation _____
3d. show my willingness to help _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
4a. say, “What else would you like to cover?” _____
4b. say, “You come across to me differently, namely. . .” _____
4c. say, “I would suggest you do . . .” _____
4d. check the logic of a statement _____
PsycTESTS™ is a database of the American Psychological Association
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/t65300-000
Coaching Behaviors Questionnaire
CBQ
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
5a. say, “To my knowledge. . .” _____
5b. say, “How does it feel to talk about this?” _____
5c. say, “How can I help you with this?” _____
5d. make suggestions regarding “homework” for the next meeting _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
6a. offer positive and affirming feedback _____
6b. point out that they could look at the issue in a different way _____
6c. help them to express more personal insights or feelings _____
6d. advise them of what action to take _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
7a. reveal how I may be affected in our relationship _____
7b. ask them what next to explore _____
7c. challenge them on the consequences of their actions _____
7d. explain what is known about a task _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
8a. check whether I am being helpful _____
8b. ask for desired outcomes for the meeting _____
8c. raise what sense I am getting of how they are in the here and now _____
8d. tell them where to go to find information and help _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
9a. help them to reflect on their experiences _____
9b. express willingness to support them _____
9c. advocate a particular solution or approach _____
9d. make them aware of what they could consider changing _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
10a. give them honest feedback about the impact of their behavior _____
10b. show them how to correct their mistakes _____
10c. use a model to summarize their queries or issues _____
10d. be honest about my warmth and care _____
PsycTESTS™ is a database of the American Psychological Association
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/t65300-000
Coaching Behaviors Questionnaire
CBQ
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
11a. help them to recognize their own emotions and how these impact on their work _____
11b. challenge them when they are possibly being defensive _____
11c. indicate it might be a good idea to change _____
11d. listen deeply as they review their issues or experiences _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
12a. persuade them to take a particular approach _____
12b. ask them how they can apply what they have learnt _____
12c. sum up what choices they seem to have _____
12d. speak with them about their emotions, e.g. of being upset or angry _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
13a. show them how their views can possibly be contradicted _____
13b. offer an explanation of what has happened _____
13c. ask them how they feel about their success _____
13d. offer them support when they are in difficulties _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
14a. provide opportunities for them to open up more personal queries _____
14b. give them an example of how I would approach the issue _____
14c. appreciate the value of their ideas, beliefs, opinions _____
14d. ask open questions to promote new insights _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
15a. give information about my own experience _____
15b. welcome them as a person _____
15c. help them to state their present understanding of the issues _____
15d. challenge what they are saying _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
16a. recommend how to approach or do something _____
16b. give them information that they may use to achieve a task _____
16c. if they are negative or pessimistic, confront them with a positive angle _____
16d. ask them how they feel about a problematic issue _____
PsycTESTS™ is a database of the American Psychological Association
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/t65300-000
Coaching Behaviors Questionnaire
CBQ
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
17a. encourage them to find their own solutions and answers _____
17b. show genuine appreciation for a job well done _____
17c. point to information which may be relevant _____
17d. propose what I believe to be the best course of action _____
“When working with people as a coach, I tend to do the following . . .”
18a. make myself accessible to them when needed _____
18b. ask them to express feelings which may be blocking them _____
18c. inquire into what they want to achieve _____
18d. challenge them about what they may be avoiding _____