Coaching with emotion: How coaches deal with difficult emotional situations

Abstract

Objectives:The coaching process can arouse emotion for both the client and the coach. Coaches then have a choice between either minimising the attention paid to emotional phenomena or working with emotions to achieve results. The objectives of this study were to investigate coaches’ personal theories of emotion and in particular their approach to dealing with difficult emotional situations within the coaching relationship.Design:A qualitative study was designed in order to explore coaches’ perspectives, theories and strategies for dealing with emotions. Data was analysed using a grounded theory approach to elicit a number of themes.Methods:The study collected data from 39 UK coaches, using a stem-sentence questionnaire approach.Results:Findings suggest that coaches can have very different viewpoints in relation to dealing with difficult emotional situations that arise when working with clients, dealing with them in one of four ways: using self-reflection or supervision, avoiding tackling the emotion considering it to belong to the client, actively exploring with the client,or referral of the client/termination. They also see control of their own emotions as important and recognised some gender related issues.Conclusions:Recommendations are made for an understanding of emotionsto be included in the education and training of coaches. The strengthening of supervision provision for coaches is also suggested.