Technological innovation, workplace transformation, and ecological change call for universal action. Coaching can answer that call. Inspired by the Shaping the Future of Coaching Convening, the Future of Coaching Collection explores evolving trends within the coaching discipline, including coaching supervision, team and niche coaching, the roles of technology and artificial intelligence, social return on investment and measuring impact, and neuroscience insights.
Insight Articles
Transdisciplinary collaboration bridges the gap between coaching practice and research
By pooling resources to examine coaching through the lens of other disciplines, transdisciplinary collaboration provides a unique opportunity to better understand coaching and human development. These insights can help bridge the gap between coaching practice and coaching research.
Transdisciplinary thinking bridges the gap between coaching practice and research
Our Wisdom Weavers argue that coaching practice has outpaced research. Pooling resources to examine coaching through multiple disciplines provides a unique opportunity to better understand coaching and human development.
To go where no one has gone before, but where we all will be going
Wisdom Weaver Richard Boyatzis reflects on the history of coaching research and how global thinkers are preparing for the future of coaching.
Coaching outcomes are nuanced and difficult to measure
The outcomes of coaching are multifaceted and difficult to measure. This subtlety can conflict with standard workplace norms that prioritize objective return on investment and quick, measurable change.
Brain activity confirms the benefits of positive coaching experiences
The process of conducting coaching research has historically relied on asking coaches and their clients questions that reveal aspects of their experience. Instead, Dr. Angela Passarelli explores what happens in the brain on an unconscious level.
Racial and cultural barriers impact the coaching profession
Wisdom Weavers discuss the impact of systemic racism on coaches who are persons of color. They further reflect on how the historical origins of coaching span cultural boundaries.
Coaching practices can address climate change
While celebrating significant breakthroughs in the field of coaching, Wisdom Weavers offer helpful tools for ways that coaching can address climate change.
Enhancing clients’ self-awareness is a catalyst for change and growth
As Wisdom Weaver Ellen Van Oosten explains, “the central premise [of] coaching is fundamentally about change.” The coaching relationship offers unique tools to guide clients through self-reflection and define personalized growth.
Michael Cavanagh explores opportunities for coaching measurement, competencies, and frameworks
Learning, developing, and implementing coaching competencies has become essential within the coaching profession. In this talk, Wisdom Weaver Dr. Michael Cavanagh dives into coaching competencies and frameworks and discusses benefits, drawbacks, and opportunities for future coaching research.
Coaches can help clients overcome microaggressions in the workplace
Minorities and women face distinct challenges in the workplace that can hamper career growth and undermine confidence. Coaching perspectives can help minorities and women thrive in the workplace through self-acceptance, self-development, and self-management.
Ellen Van Oosten reframes ways to measure coaching effectiveness through workplace outcomes
Wisdom Weaver Ellen Van Oosten identifies a balance between performance and well-being in workplace coaching outcomes. She illustrates how to measure coaching effectiveness for individual clients as well as companies investing in professional development.
Culturally competent coaching meets clients in their context: Christian van Nieuwerburgh
An experienced coach adapts to meet the contextual needs of their client. In his presentation on coaching in Islamic countries, Christian van Nieuwerburgh describes how changing the language, process, and goals of coaching allowed him to better serve Muslim clients in the Middle East.
How coaches can act as agents for systemic change
Coaches work in nearly every area of human experience, but this intervention type is primarily limited to individual or organizational change. Throughout the 2021 Future of Coaching Convening, Wisdom Weavers explored new ways to expand coaching to a systemic level.
Melvin Smith connects coaching mechanisms to long-term change
Melvin Smith offers insight into what motivates people to achieve long-term change. In his talk, Melvin describes various strategies coaches can use to help their clients reach desired outcomes.
Diversifying coaching outcomes leads to long-term success
Coaching outcomes are not always straightforward. Wisdom Weavers navigate ways to measure client satisfaction, perception change, and enhanced performance.
Coaching approaches can address inequality
By facilitating personal growth and development, coaching has the power to address inequality. Wisdom Weavers Margaret Moore and Dr. Richard Boyatzis discuss the potential for coaching practices to raise awareness of inequality and help marginalized groups develop a sense of purpose.
The future of coaching goes beyond Western lenses
Western institutions produce the majority of coaching research. However, as the field grows globally, international scholars will lead the way in shaping contextually relevant coaching practices.
Outside perspectives inform coaching practice
Non-traditional fields and areas of practice, such as the helping professions and behavior change research, offer valuable insights for coaching practitioners. Our experts discuss how healthcare coaching and Intentional Change Theory illuminate aspects of human development relevant to coaching.
Coaching for women offers opportunities for growth
Professional women pursue leadership and career development in stages. Dr. Andromachi Athanasopoulou examines in her talk how gender and coaching research intertwine, with implications for coaches to support women as they define their personal leadership style.
Understanding the role of trauma in the client’s journey
In the midst of global and climate crises, research can guide coaches to show care for clients through trauma-informed coaching principles and awareness.
The coach-client relationship has mutual impact
Coaching relationships facilitate lasting change for clients. Research shows that the relationship impacts coaches as well.
Addressing biases helps coaches connect with clients
When coaches address their own implicit biases, they can ask better questions, leading clients to explore how their unique life experiences impact their ability to set and achieve goals.
How coaches can overcome self-doubt leading to “imposter syndrome”
When coaches learn to address insecurities leading to “imposter syndrome” — the worry they are not qualified for a task or position — they are better able to feel a sense of value in their work with clients.
Coaching women in the workplace lifts barriers and reduces burnout
In 2020, one in three mothers considered leaving the workforce, according to McKinsey & Company’s annual Women in the Workplace study. Wisdom Weaver Margaret Moore discusses the positive role coaching plays in reducing burnout for women in the workplace.
Updated competency models improve coaching’s effectiveness
Competency models help the coaching profession gauge coaching’s overall effectiveness. To improve coaching’s efficacy, the field of coaching must establish what makes coaching distinct and the skills needed for effective practice.
“Critical Moments” research informs the coaching practice
‘Critical Moments’ research explores the limits and potentials of human attention and memory. Comparing the memories that coaches and clients share reveals how the coaching relationship generates personal discovery and satisfaction for both parties.
Video Insights
Shaping the Future of Coaching: Internal Mechanisms
What published, rigorous research tells us about the process and internal mechanisms of coaching? What are the characteristics of effective coaches? What new research is needed?
Shaping the Future of Coaching: Coaching Outcomes
What existing published, rigorous research tells us about the effectiveness of coaching? What new research is needed?
Shaping the Future of Coaching: Client Diversity
What published, rigorous research tells us about the differences in effective coaching of women, minorities in various cultures, various cultures and ethnic groups, people in diverse social economic groups, and so forth? What new research is needed?
ICF Research Portal
The ICF Research Portal is an online resource for researchers and academics to see streams of research on coaching. The portal contains entries for more than 4,000 articles, case studies and reports about coaching and related topics. The interface includes a stream view that allows users to view references and citations both backward and forward in time.