The Triggering Effect of Business Coaching on Performance Psychology (original) (raw)

In this study, the authors investigated the effects of a business coaching program on important performance psychological variables. One hundred and twenty seven executives and middle managers from a branch leading Fortune high-tech 500 company participated in an experiment over a period of one year. Findings indicate that there are significant effects from coaching on psychological variables effecting performance. These psychological variables are self-efficacy, successful intra-personal causal attributions and need satisfaction, especially through the need for autonomy and competence. The authors also investigated the impact of coaching on goal setting, but could not find evidence for a significant effect from the coaching program. The authors' findings also indicate that raised need satisfaction seems to be a key to achieving growth and development for others through these important performance psychological variables. IntrODUCtIOn Coaching is based on values that encourage the coachee to be more independent (autonomy) and responsible (competence) in his or her own learning and development. The self-determining nature of coaching should therefore facilitate values based on autonomy and competence. Self determination theory states that social environments which fulfil basic psychological needs for individual growth and development will result in motivated, engaged and successful individuals, who achieve the desired outcomes in specific, achievement-related tasks (Deci & Ryan, 2002). Deci and Ryan emphasize the importance of three main groups of psychological needs forming the foundation for a persistant and enduring intrinsic motivation. These three psychological needs are: (a) the need for competence, (b) the need for autonomy and (c) the need for relatedness. Deci and Ryan especially argue for the importance of the first two, the need for competence and the need for autonomy. The main purpose of this study was to assess whether or not the self-determining nature of coaching is the triggering key to drive growth and development for others. In order to do so, we first investigated the impact of coaching in business on psychological variables related to human performance. Secondly, we explored relations between need satisfaction and performance psychological variables. tHEOrEtICal aPPrOaCH