Fish Theory

There are many theories for types of people. The Fish theory is one of my favorites. It encompasses the people I work with in my company. It helps me relate to people by understanding they type of person they are and what motivates them so that I can be a better mentor and coach to those people.

Fish Theory

Shark
A person who is a shark acts like a shark. They are blood thirsty, competitive, hungry. These people are typically money motivated. They will be motivated by any extra things they can take on to gain them an extra few dollars. I have people in my office that will work extra in order to make more money even if they've already made more than everyone else during the week. While coaching these people it is important to focus always on the money. How will what you're suggesting they try make them more money now and in the future?

Urchin
This person gobbles up knowledge, the more they know the better they'll do. They constantly what to know why we do things, how we do things, and every aspect of a situation. They ask a million questions, typically questions no one has asked or probably even thought of before. They also want to know all the fine details and ins and outs of your business. These people can be difficult to coach because they may ask questions that create problems where problems never were. The best way I've found to coach people like this is to be completely transparent with them, if they ask a question I don't know the answer to, I find one or point them in the direction of someone who would know. Involving Urchins in all aspects of a business process will help motivate them to replicate it. The more information and finite details they have, the more motivated they will be to complete a task and master it.

Whale
A person with a whale personality has a big heart and always wants to help. They care more about the betterment of people than of their own. A whale will work very hard for the good of others. They are cause motivated individuals. If your trying to expand your company by half its current size by the end of the month, this person will do whatever it takes to help you achieve that. They will stay late, come in early, or research innovative ideas to help move your company forward. For a whale personality, it is all about helping others. Using this as a coaching technique will help them. Coaching them in how doing something a specific way will better themselves will not be most beneficial. Coaching them on how that specific way will help the cause you're working towards will.

Dolphin
This personality type is the most fun to be around. They are extremely excited about work and about the culture and environment. They are also excited about the opportunity. They rarely have a bad day and even if they do they it's difficult to notice. Coaching these people involves focus on the opportunity. Most companies have an opportunity for advancement, focusing on that keeps Dolphin personalities engaged and motivated. Where are they going, how will they get there, what can they do to get there faster?

Everyone will be a little bit of one or the other. Find what you are most of and focus on this. Alert people around you that could coach you exactly how you need to be coached and what motivates you. All in all, this will make you the most successful and you will get the most out of your coaching as it will be definitively focused on what motivates you.