Introduction: The coachees' self-development, particularly self-regulation and self-access, is central to coaching. Through a strong relationship, the coach plays a vital role in supporting the coachee's self. However, it remains unclear how exactly the self is activated through the coach behaviors within the coaching relationship.
Purpose: Using Personality Systems Interactions theory, we investigated how the coachee's self-regulation and self-access facilitate coaching success and how coaches can foster coachees' self-development.
Method: In two studies, we investigated whether the coachee's self-development can predict coaching success. Study 1 (N = 37) employed a longitudinal design with a 5-month coaching program for caregivers in management positions. In Study 2, we matched self-reported data of 298 coachees with self-reported data of their 75 respective coaches. In two additional studies, we investigated the impact of coach behavior on success. We hypothesize that three relationship-oriented coach behaviors are important for coaching success: Providing structured guidance, providing personalized support, and activating the coachee's resources. In Study 3 (N = 108), we used video ratings to analyze coach behavior and assessed goal attainment after one month. In Study 4 (N = 1,217), we asked coachees about their goal attainment, coaching satisfaction, and need satisfaction based on past coachings.
Results: In Study 1, the coachees' self-regulation and self-access increased from before to after coaching. Self-regulation further predicted goal attainment. In Study 2, a strong coaching relationship reported by the coaches positively related to the coachees' self-regulation and self-awareness, an aspect of self-access, further predicting goal attainment, satisfaction, and need fulfillment. In Studies 3 and 4, the coach's resource activation had the strongest positive effect on coaching success. Self-regulation and self-access mediated this effect.
Conclusion: The client's self-development significantly contributes to coaching success. Coaches should focus on fostering self-regulation and self-access by building a strong relationship and activating the coachee's resources.