The Triggering Effect of Business Coaching on Performance Psychology

F Moen, E Skaalvik International Journal of Coaching in Organizations 2008

In this study, the authors investigated the effects of a business coaching program on important performance psychological variables. One hundred and twenty seven executives and middle managers from a branch leading Fortune high-tech 500 company participated in an experiment over a period of one year. Findings indicate that there are significant effects from coaching on psychological variables effecting performance. These psychological variables are self-efficacy, successful intra-personal causal attributions and need satisfaction, especially through the need for autonomy and competence. The authors also investigated the impact of coaching on goal setting, but could not find evidence for a significant effect from the coaching program. The authors’ findings also indicate that raised need satisfaction seems to be a key to achieving growth and development for others through these important performance psychological variables.