Back in 2015, I decided I had done enough—I had proudly added MBTI and FIRO-B certifications to my resume, not to mention the coveted PCC and CPF titles. I told myself, “That’s it! No more certifications for a while.” I even made a silent pact with the universe: “Let me now enjoy using what I know, instead of endlessly adding more acronyms to my LinkedIn headline.”
The universe, as it turns out, didn’t get the memo.
Fast forward to March 2018: I was happily empanelled as a coach with a large multinational bank, doing what I loved—transition coaching, high-potential coaching, and helping leaders become strategic business partners. Just when I thought I had settled into my groove, the Head of Coaching at the consulting firm working with the bank called. A new leadership cohort was kicking off and they asked, ever so casually, “Are you certified in Hogan?”
Cue the dramatic pause. Hogan?
They said I could be part of the coaching cohort if I got Hogan-certified. The catch? I had until April to do it. What followed was a frantic online search, the kind where you type “Hogan certification near me” at 1 a.m. while nervously sipping tea. Luckily, a workshop was scheduled in Gurgaon in mid-March. I pounced on the opportunity and signed up faster than you can say “derailer.”
And that, is how my journey into the world of Hoganese began.
Learning the Language
In the early days, I felt like I had joined a secret society. I reached out to fellow cohort members from the Hogan certification workshop, and we practiced giving feedback using our own profiles. It was part coaching, part therapy, and part comedy—nothing quite like discovering your own derailers and then hearing your colleagues say, “Oh yes, that totally makes sense!”
But practice made me more confident, and before long, I was swimming in the deep end of the Hogan pool. I’ve now delivered countless feedback sessions using the Hogan suite, and each one has offered something new—if not to my client, then definitely to me.
From Insight to Impact
Over time, Hogan became a trusted companion in my coaching toolkit. Whether used alongside 360-degree feedback tools or in team coaching, the insights from Hogan have consistently helped leaders gain self-awareness and clarity. Watching clients connect the dots between personality tendencies and team dynamics.
Today, I’m also using Hogan for senior leadership hiring. A large hotel chain, for example, is leveraging Hogan in selecting General Managers and CXOs. Beyond assessing leadership style, it’s helping them evaluate culture fit—and perhaps more importantly, it’s prompting those tough questions that standard interviews often tiptoe around.
The Case for Derailer Awareness
Here’s my firm belief (and my elevator pitch to anyone willing to listen): if leaders—whether in large corporations, start-ups, or non-profits—were aware of their derailers, we’d save many organisations and jobs. I’ve seen too many promising start-ups fade out, not because of bad ideas, but because of blind spots and unchecked behaviours in leadership.
Hogan, in this context, isn’t just a tool. It’s a flashlight in the fog of ego, ambition, and assumptions.
The Million-Dollar Match-Making Idea
And now… for my next act.
Inspired by India’s age-old reliance on kundalis and astrology for matchmaking, I’ve been toying with the idea of introducing Hogan Compatibility Reports for couples. Think about it—if we can use Hogan to predict workplace success, why not relationship dynamics?
Forget manglik dosha, tell me how high is your “Excitable” scale?
Imagine the tagline: “Marry the one who balances your derailers!” I might just pitch this to a matchmaking portal. Move over, moon signs—Hogan is the new horoscope!
In conclusion, Hogan has added depth, direction, and a dash of drama to my coaching practice. It has made me a better listener, a sharper observer, and occasionally, a psychic (only because clients often say, “How did you know that about me?”).
From career coaching to compatibility queries, it’s been quite the ride—and I’m loving every bit of the Hogan highway!
