A grounded theory study of the coachee experience: The implications for training and practice in coaching psychology.

This study sought to identify the key behaviours used by executive coaches that were perceived by coachees to have the most favourable impact on their experience and progress.The study used a semi-structured interview design within a qualitative approach.Grounded theory was employed to analyse the transcripts and to build a series of descriptive and conceptual codes. The results from this small-scale study suggest that coachees seek not only particular behaviours but also certain personal attributes in a coach. Key behaviours identified were common sense confidentiality, being collaborative, setting take-away tasks, balancing challenge and support, stimulating problem-solving, effective communication, staying focused, containing emotions, helping develop alternative perspectives, use of a variety of focusing tools and techniques and use of self as a tool.The study makes some tentative practical recommendations for those involved in coach training.

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