Relating in executive coaching: a behavioural systems approach

Purpose – In recent research the strength and nature of the relationship between coaches and executives appears as a critical success factor in successful coaching outcomes. However, little theory has as yet been devoted to an analysis of how relationships are used in executive coaching. Such an analysis requires going from the monadic, individual level of analysis to the dyadic, relational level. The purpose of this paper is to develop a theory of relating in executive coaching at this dyadic level of analysis. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual analysis of relating in executive coaching is presented, drawing on a combination of the behavioural approach (Skinner and others) and the systems approach (Bateson and others). A verbatim of a coaching conversation serves as an illustration. Findings – It is found that the behavioural and systems approaches may be fruitfully combined in one behavioural systems approach. Following this, relating in executive coaching is characterised as systemic, behavioural, communicational, and patterned. Originality/value – The paper is among the first to study executive coaching at the dyadic level of analysis, and to develop a combined behavioural systems approach towards that purpose. This approach and its outcomes add to and can be clearly distinguished from the more common humanistic, psychodynamic, and cognitive approaches to executive coaching.