Relationship, purpose, and change—An integrative model of coach behavior.

Abstract

Coaching is an effective intervention to achieve organizationally, professionally, and personally beneficial goals. Although the coach-coachee working relationship constitutes the most critical indicator of coaching success, specific coach behaviors that create effective interaction are poorly understood Using well-established psychological theories we have derived an integrative model of coach behavior that delineates three behavioral metacategories: (a) relationship-oriented behavior that fosters effective working relationships and entails providing structured guidance, providing personalized support, and activating resources; (b) purpose-oriented behavior that directly supports goal accomplishment and entails enhancing understanding, strengthening motivation, and facilitating implementation; and (c) change-warranting behavior that fosters comprehensive information processing that sustains change and entails the creation of memorable experiences. Each metacategory is further specified by several concrete behaviors. Based on its underlying psychological theories, the integrative model of coach behavior provides concise categories with clear distinctions and relationships. Furthermore, the model's theories generate numerous new hypotheses about the process of coach-behavior effectiveness and its mediators or moderators. Thoroughly testing these hypotheses and overcoming problematic subjective surveys requires the development of objective behavioral measurements for coach behaviors, instant coachee reactions and the associated subsequent cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes.