Modelling the Complexity of the Coaching Process

Abstract

While written with models in mind, the focus for the original paper and this response is to act in the broad interests of coaching and its fate as it grows as a discipline and a profession, and to spark debate and discussion about the nature of coaching, coaching practice, and our understanding of it. Coaching continues to evolve and in some cases is undergoing a period of unprecedented change [1]. Change presents both impetus and opportunity to develop the conceptual base of coaching and add to knowledge and understanding of practice. In his commentary, Britt Brewer suggests a line of argument that is underpinned by pessimism and antipathy. Instead, the purpose is to imply a healthy scepticism to current coaching research ‘truths’ and suggest a cautious approach to constructing, developing and re-constructing our understanding and representation of coaching practice. Debates and discussions such as these are key to further intellectualisation of coaching; a process that is essential for defining coaching’s identity, and in meeting the challenge of becoming a bona-fide profession.