Introduction to the special issue on coaching elite performers

Abstract

This article introduces a special issue of Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research focused on psychologically based coaching with elite performers in business, sport, the performing arts, military special forces, and surgeons and emergency-room physicians. The initial section provides a brief description of performance psychology, which is an emerging niche in consulting. The section discusses both the common issues faced by all elite performers and the practices typically used by those engaged in the coaching of elite performers. Some preliminary work on identifying the key knowledge, skills, and abilities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019) needed by most performance-psychology coaches is then shared to help the reader better understand the competencies required for success in this area of consulting psychology. The introduction concludes with a brief synopsis of each of the 5 focal articles in the special issue. This special issue will inform readers about the world of performance-psychology coaching and stimulate them to consider how this might influence the development of their own areas of consulting psychology.