Exploring Presence in Executive Coaching Conversations

Presence is considered to be one of the main factors contributing to the quality of the coaching relationship and the use of self by the coach. As such, there is a growing, opinion-based body of practitioner literature on the topic. In addition, presence is recognised by professional coaching bodies as an important coaching competence. To date, there has been little formal research into this concept in executive coaching and in particular, there has been no investigation of presence from the client perspective. The study addresses this gap in knowledge by exploring the research question: “What is presence and how is it experienced by coaches and clients during the executive coaching conversation?” The qualitative methodology of conceptual encounter, extended through a focus group, was used to develop a model that gave equal weight to both client and coach perspectives. By mapping the experience of the research partners, this model extends the current understanding of presence, clarifies boundaries with other related terms, and helps to develop a richer language that may inform future debate. Findings have addressed the nature of presence, which was conceptualised in terms of an aware mode and an absorbed mode, as well as internal, external and relational dimensions. In addition, a dynamic nature was reported, both within and between individuals. Conditions that help presence to arise have also been proposed, along with a set of outcomes that address how coaches use presence, how they help their clients to develop it, and how it contributes to the executive coaching process. The findings suggest that presence, as a way of being, is an essential requirement in executive coaching with significant implications for theoretical knowledge and professional practice.

Grantor dc:publisher

Oxford Brookes University

Year dc:date

2017

Author dc:creator

• Noon, Roger

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bachkirova, Tatiana
• Myers, Adrian

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier

https://doi.org/10.24384/97qq-r379

OAI identifier oai:identifier

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