-
Module 2, Topic 2
- “What is your current opinion about research, reflective practice and supervision for developing coaching best practice?”
-
6 Replies
-
I had not given any real thought to research as it applies to coaching; however, upon reading the text I believe that there is a place for research, but it may require some form of oversight from a governing body of sorts. Turing to reflective practice and supervision, I agree that this is an essential part certainly for my development as a coach. I have had many an occasion particularly when first starting out that utilising the reflective practice via supervision help me immensely in understanding the situation and more importantly the feelings that I was experiencing because of the situation. I would go as far as to say that this leads into group supervision situations as well as it provides for different perspectives outside of the supervisor as the group, if setup and managed properly (if done through an organisation or body) will ensure that a diverse group of experience levels will be pared together and driven by an experienced group supervisor. Now, how does research influence reflective and supervision as a means of best practice, I can see the benefits of this as it allows for a broader understanding of the coaching practice from other organisations or areas of the world.
-
· In your view, how important is research for the coaching industry?
Ongoing research that enables the Coaching profession to evolve and grow is important for the longevity of coaching practices. Research enables the Coaching industry to better explain the efficacy and effectiveness of coaching and to also professionalise notion of coaching as a legitimate organisational approach to looking after individuals and teams and achieving better overall performance through an investment in coaching.
· What sort of research do you think is important to be carried out at this point in time?
Research that assists coaches with information on the multi-disciplinary aspects of coaching and how it can assist in achieving greater coaching effectiveness and outcomes for individual and organisations continues to be important. Research enables the exploration of new theories, paradigms and contemporary challenges that could further enhance understanding the of the benefits of coaching. Specifically, understanding more about the coaching interaction (Figure 33.1) at the waterline of Cox, Bachkirova and Clutterbuck’s The Complete Handbook of Coaching. Understanding more about the interaction between coach and client would provide insight into how the values, beliefs and motivations of both parties work together as part of the psychological contract of coaching itself. A better understanding of how choices of goals and plans are questioned, pursued and enacted would be incredibly insightful and invaluable for coaches seeking to continuously improve their coaching approach.
· Do you have a consistent reflective practice strategy? How has that contributed to your professional growth and capacity over time?
I have a consistent reflective practice which I apply to increase my understanding of my performance as a coach. Group and individual supervision have been especially helpful in addressing this lack of confidence and self-doubt, as has the completion of all three IECL Coaching Certifications, Team Coaching and now through undertaking this program. I try reflect upon whether I have I created a safe space and established trust with the counterpart on completion of every coaching session. This is one of the fundamental tenets of a coaching engagement so it is something that I am particularly committed to. Reflection also enables me to look at some of the challenges presented in a coaching conversation differently and enable me to be more present and connected to the questions I am asking as the coach in the engagement. I believe the this reflective practice has provided me with a better awareness and understanding of my strengths and opportunities for development as a coach, enabling me to regularly reconnect with the purpose of why I am coaching.
· How does coaching supervision provide quality assurance to coaching delivery? For the internal coach? The external coach? The client?
Alison Hodge contends that coaching can be unpredictable, challenging and demanding. Supervision enables the coaching to further explore what we are doing and why we are doing it. It enables us to learn new approaches, challenge our existing practice, explore what is happening with ourselves and our clients. Assists with providing support, guidance, and perspective to the coach to acknowledge that they can always learn more, they don’t need to have all the answers or be the expert.
· When would you go to professional coaching supervision vs. speaking with a peer, attending a peer group and/or a coach?
Supervision enables coaches to share experiences and receive feedback from the supervisor, connect with other coaches, receive different perspectives, gain confidence about their skills obtain clarity about different practices and approaches. Professional coaching supervision is an important part of the Coaching professional development process, and I am fortunate enough to be provided with both group and individual supervision through my work with Navy. I look forward to these opportunities to meet with fellow coaches, sharing some of the more challenging coaching engagements and obtain feedback on both a group and individual supervisor level. That said, I sometimes prefer the ability to talk with fellow coaching peer on a 1:1 basis to deal with more immediate coaching issues or to obtain some clarity and perspective on a specific coaching issue. The ability to informally connect with a trusted peer provides agility in terms of accessing peer advice and guidance, and sometimes just a sounding board for my intended approach as a coach.
-
What is your current opinion about research, reflective practice and supervision for developing coaching best practice?
In the context of thinking about and building coaching as best practice the field of research is important as it supports industry awareness, focus areas for skills and development and most importantly contributes to the building of coaching knowledge that can be used by all stakeholders in the coaching cycle and future development.
Reflective practice is not isolated to coaching or coaching supervision and is a very valuable personal developmental tool often used in many organisational development programs and as part of mindfulness strategies to provide leaders [individuals] with the opportunity to create dedicated space and time where situations can be reviewed, this particular practice in the context of coaching best practice is equally as important and in fact more so when a coach is just starting their journey. Reflection in coaching allows the coach time and space to replay the coaching interaction and self-evaluate against taught skills and techniques and then consider the application of improved intervention and strategies before the next session.
Supervision, I’ve not considered this until now in the role of organisational coaching as we often outsource the coaching, however as I have journeyed through the IECL courses and participated in practical exercises etc. sometimes successful sometimes bumpy the prospect of having a coaching supervisor to continue the reflective process with me in a practical [conversational] sense and improve my coaching practice could only contribute to the overall field of coaching, skill of the coach and experience for the coachee and organisation.
-
“What is your current opinion about research, reflective practice and supervision for developing coaching best practice?”
Whilst the coaching has increased in prevalence over the last two decades, and along with this there has been an increase in coaching research. Research is important in the context of the inherent requirement for training of coaching practitioners to be based on theoretical as well as empirical evidence. According to Lane and Corrie (2023, as cited in The Complete Handbook of Coaching, 2024, p 427), coaching practitioners must be both consumers and producers of research, if coaching is to lay claim to be evidence based. Research conducted to date has focused mainly on the utility of coaching, its benefits and how it can be used for different purposes. Very limited research into the coaching interaction itself has been completed, mainly due to the intrusion and interruption such research would have on actual coaching engagements as well as the complexities in relation to the breadth of contexts in which coaching engagements are conducted. The coaching community may be well served to consider creative opportunities for completing research into the coaching interaction to support an evidenced based, best practice coaching practice and a valuable means of professional growth and capacity for coaching practitioners.
Reflective practice and supervision are present as accessible opportunities for coach practitioner professional growth and capacity. Hawkins and Smith (2013, p 246-284, as cited in The Complete Handbook of Coaching, 2024, p 437) state that supervision provides the reflective container for the trainee to turn their competencies into capabilities and to develop their personal and coaching capabilities. Supervision offers development and capacity for all stakeholders in the process, and the development of a best practice approach to supervision may provide guidance needed to embed a consistent practice within the coaching community.
-
Research, reflective practice, and supervision are crucial for the coaches and the coaching industry in general to develop best practices.
It helps coaches to be mindful of their actions, decisions, and their impact on clients. It gives the opportunity to receive feedback, discuss challenges and as such to feel supported as being a coach can feel lonely at times.
As it was discussed in previous modules, the coaching industry is relatively new and it still being structured by different organisations. Being a coach is a fast evolving job with a lot of emerging insights and methodologies. Reflective practice encourages coaches to get more self-awareness and adaptability about their practice. Supervision allows coaches to continually assess and review their techniques with peers, supporting continuous improvement.
They ensure that coaching practices are both innovative and grounded in solid evidence, adaptable yet consistent with core principles. It enhances the skills and knowledge of coaches which as a direct impacts on the client outcomes.
By embracing research, reflective practice, and supervision, coaches can maintain high standards of excellence and effectiveness in their practice.
-
“What is your current opinion about research, reflective practice and supervision for developing coaching best practice?”
Research: It is my opinion that an industry needs to have an evidence base. Providing quality evidence for both outcome and process (as per the textbook research categories) could be helpful for coaching best practice and the professionalization of the industry. However, as with any research, it is the quality, efficacy, and purpose of the research being done and published that is important.
Reflective Practice: This element of coaching best practice is one of the most important ones for me. I believe that in order to be effective in anything we do, having a dedicated reflective practice is critical in ensuring growth and development. The cycle of reflective practice—experiencing, reflecting, conceptualizing, and experimenting—provides a structured approach to personal and professional development. It ensures that learning and growth are systematic rather than ad hoc. By regularly evaluating your practice as a coach, you can identify areas for improvement and areas for growth. Through reflection, a coach can better understand the counterpart’s current context, needs, goals, and challenges. This can support more effective interventions, interactions, and importantly, the ability to recognize when a referral to another professional is necessary. Engaging in reflective practice often involves seeking feedback and support through professional supervision, which offers an external perspective and additional guidance for improvement.
Supervision: In regard to supervision, my greatest learning was from the text when it said that supervision is not an activity carried out by a supervisor to have ‘super vision’ but rather a joint, collaborative activity between coach and supervisor. I think that this is key for the industry as a whole to understand and to adopt. I feel that without supervision, the industry is susceptible to a lack of guidance and at risk of lacking professionalism. In my opinion, supervision and reflective practice go hand in hand for a coach and the wider industry when looking to develop best practice.
Log in to reply.