An empirical exploration into changes coaches perceive associated with experience of Flow in coaching conversations

The importance of the self of the coach and the coaching relationship is well researched. Flow as a subjective, optimal experience has been found to play a facilitating role in individual personal growth and development across many different contemporary work contexts and is receiving increased work-based research focus. Until recently, research efforts outside of the coaching context have been predominantly quantitative in nature, focussed on operationalising the Flow experience itself. However, little coaching-specific research has investigated either the relational experience of Flow or any understanding of its potential associated consequences. However, these approaches minimise opportunities to fully explore either the relational experience of Flow or the extent of possible associated consequences of Flow from the practioner perspective. There is only a small body of studies on the consequences of Flow in helping dyadic relationships in the contexts of nursing, teaching and therapy. However, to date little coaching-specific research has been conducted to investigate the experience of Flow from the coach perspective and none on understanding the breadth of any potential associated consequences on the self of the coach or the coaching relationship. This study addresses this gap. Given the importance of the self of the coach and the coaching relationship, this study does not explore either the effectiveness of Flow or the client experience of Flow. Rather it focuses on the coaches subjective experiences and perceptions, exploring changes coaches perceive associated with the experience of Flow in coaching conversations. Two qualitative methodologies were used sequentially with ten experienced coaches over a ten-month period. First, Conceptual Encounter was used to extend our knowledge by establishing and mapping a common understanding of what coaches recognise as a Flow experience within the coaching relationship. Subsequently, the Heuristic Inquiry methodology was used to explore the experiences and meaning of any perceived changes coaches associated with Flow. The findings indicate that an important connection is created in Flow between coach and client. The Flow experience in coaching was seen by coaches as a catalyst for personal change after coaching. The Flow map developed in this study offers rich coaching-specific descriptions to enable other coaches to perceive and recognise Flow. The findings suggest Flow offers coaches a legitimate and purposeful way to agentically use and develop themselves as an instrument of Flow in their practice. Recognising coaches as instruments of Flow has important implications for coaching practice and coach development, the coaching professional bodies and academic research. The study provides further ideas for enhancing coaches’ reflection and developmental learning practice through dedicated training and supervision. First, the descriptive definition and map of Flow in the dyadic relationship of coaching helps coaches and supervisors recognise, understand and discuss this subjective experience. Second, reflecting on the difference Flow makes in coaching practice and the relationship acts as a catalyst for the agentic growth and development of the self as instrument of Flow in coaching. Finally, the ‘Flow to self-efficacy to agency and more Flow’ developmental spiral offers an additional pathway to support coaches’ emergent journey of growth over time.

Grantor dc:publisher

Oxford Brookes University

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Bradley, Alistair

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bachkirova, Tatiana
• Gannon, Judie

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier

https://doi.org/10.24384/wtzr-de77

OAI identifier oai:identifier

tle:b94aec69-9346-4d1e-b01f-1fe70ef71b0d:d6bd9758-527a-46cd-bfe2-c433766e8fca:1