The Effectiveness of Executive Coaching : Antecedents, Processes, Benefits, and Evaluation

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine factors that affect the effectiveness of executive coaching.

Framework: The study combines various fields of research from existing executive coaching literature. These fields are the antecedents, the process, the benefits, and the evaluation of effective executive coaching. A synthesis of these four fields is created and a causal relationship between them illustrated. The created framework is utilized when analyzing the empirical findings, which creates a strong link between the findings and the existing literature.

Methodology: In the empirical part of the study, the material was collected by conducting eight semi-structured interviews with executive coaching professionals from the Finnish executive coaching industry. Additionally, this study takes a social constructivist approach. The theorizing method used in this study was abductive research.

Findings and contribution: All the findings were evaluated the effectiveness of coaching in mind. It was found that characteristics needed from the coach included social and people skills, while the necessity of a formal degree is a controversial issue. The coachee has to have the inner motivation and will for the process, and she needs to be coachable. The organization has to support the coachee throughout the process and understand why the coaching is carried out. The main steps of the coaching process are quite established, yet emphasis between the steps varied. The findings stress that goal-setting and feedback were seen as essential phases that need careful attention. Further, it was found that executive coaching increases coachee’s capabilities, which eventually lead up to benefits for the organization. Overall, the most suitable methods in the evaluation of the effectiveness are subjective and qualitative methods.