Developing a Sequential Process Model of Coaching

Abstract. Coaching research has to keep pace with the rapidly developing coaching practice. In order to strengthen theoretical and empirical knowledge, it is necessary to examine the efficacy of coaching, but even more important to develop a model of the underlying processes. By gaining a deeper insight into the coaching process and its causal mechanisms, knowledge can be generated that will enhance the efficiency of coaching in the future. In this paper, a new process model is developed, which draws on insights and methodological tools from psychotherapy research that are then applied to the coaching process. This model expands on existing process models by making new assumptions about concrete independent and intervening variables that influence coaching outcomes, and about the specific causal paths linking these variables. Special emphasis is placed on crucial variables that can play an important role in the improvement of coaching processes and in the prevention of negative coaching effects. In the second part of the paper, research on coaching is related to and integrated into the model. Finally, possible limitations of the model and present recommendations for future research are discussed.