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“The IRIS.coach survey is grounded in more than 70 years of validated behavioral science and a research base of over 1,000 published studies. As an I/O psychologist, I can say with confidence that its insights are both scientifically rigorous and immediately useful for meaningful growth.”
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Dan Hawthorne, Ph.D., I/O Psychology
The History of the IRIS Science
The IRIS Science Origins
The IRIS science is built on the enduring foundation of the Adjective Checklist (ACL), a pioneering, norm-referenced instrument first developed in the early 1950s and cited in over 1,000 research studies. The ACL is widely praised for being self-administering—typically completed in just 10–15 minutes—while remaining nonthreatening and highly effective and reliable across diverse contexts such as architecture, medicine, law, and management. As a multidimensional, standardized and quantitative assessment, it offers nuanced insights into both positive and negative personality dimensions, coachable/changeable behaviors and mindsets, and enables strong comparability across studies. Its proven cross-cultural adaptability and versatility in research make it an especially robust scientific foundation for modern instruments like IRIS.
Recent Developments
What makes IRIS the best tool for coaches
IRIS builds on decades of proven behavioral science, enhancing it with over 300,000 words of meticulously vetted content that give coaches and clients unparalleled clarity, context, and depth. Every insight is supported by precise language and real-world examples, ensuring that the provided guidance is not only accurate but also meaningful in everyday application. Complex psychometric findings are brought to life through clean, intuitive graphics, charts, and interactive visuals that make patterns easy to spot and understand at a glance.
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Beyond measurement, IRIS integrates built-in coaching prompts, practical growth strategies, and downloadable, branded reports that make it effortless to transition from assessment to action. Side-by-side comparisons allow for tracking progress over time or contrasting team members in a clear, constructive way. Whether in a fast-paced discovery session, a detailed development plan, or an ongoing coaching relationship, IRIS delivers a scientifically robust yet approachable experience. It transforms decades of validated research into a dynamic, modern platform where coaches can work smarter and clients can see—and feel—their growth journey unfold.
Built on 70+ Years of Proven Science
>1,000,000
Surveys
Taken
1000+
​Academic Studies
Completed