The Ambivalent Relationship Between Coaching Research and Coaching Practice: Discreetly Ignoring, Critically Observing or Beneficially Cooperating?

Abstract

The article argues that it is necessary to take seriously the inherent logic of the two systems “research” and “practice” in the area of coaching in order to come to a realistic assessment of the ambivalent relationship between these two “worlds” and to identify concrete steps for moving towards a more sustainable working alliance between coaching practice and coaching research. For this purpose, we first elaborate on characteristics of both systems. In the main part, we provide an overview of the scientific publication landscape and of the current state of coaching research. We then deduce key challenges concerning the relationship between research and practice and conclude with an appeal to action for both researchers and practitioners.