S3 Episode 51: Open Table - Psychometrics and Ethics in Coaching

In June 2023, William McKee came to The Coaching Inn to talk about psychometrics in coaching. Here is is. It’s our second most popular episode this year and has received lots of feedback and evoked conversation. So we invited William back with some people who expressed interest in going deeper. And that's exactly what we did!

We explore the connection between the ethics of coaching and the ethics of using a psychometric tool; the useful and the sacred; psychometrics as power tools and more. Well worth a listen, and we’d love to hear what you think. Please comment in the chat.

Today’s guests were:

• William McKee
• Jamie Adam
• Jon Barton
• Liz Price
• Richard Bennett
• Richard Procter

Continue the conversation in Claire’s supervision community

Takeaways

• The use of psychometrics in coaching should be based on evidence and reliability.
• Practitioners should be cautious of using tools that may lead to self-delusion rather than self-awareness.
• Ethical practice is crucial in the coaching industry, especially when working with vulnerable clients.
• Psychometric tools should be used as a means to ask questions rather than provide prescriptive answers.
• The power dynamics between coaches and clients should be carefully considered when introducing psychometrics.
• Psychometric vendors should be scrutinized for their claims and the validity of their tools. Psychometric tools often lack validity and reliability, and coaches should be cautious about using them.
• Coaches should be transparent with clients about the limitations of psychometric tools and the fluidity of personality.
• Ethical use of psychometric tools requires critical thinking and careful consideration of their validity and the potential harm they can cause.
• Training for coaches in using psychometric tools should include a thorough understanding of statistical reasoning and clear communication of the limitations of the tools.
• Personality is not fixed, and coaches should emphasize the potential for growth and change.
• The use of psychometric tools should be approached with an open mind and a focus on the individual's unique needs and goals.

Keywords

psychometrics, coaching, evidence-based, self-delusion, ethical practice, reliability, validity, vulnerability, power dynamics, psychometric tools, ethics, limitations, validity, reliability, training, harm, transparency, fluidity of personality, ethical use, caution, critical thinking