Communicating Across Differences: The Case for Becoming a Cosmopolitan Coach

J Delano International Journal of Coaching in Organizations 2009

The profile of executive coaching clients is changing as organizations are reshaped by shifting demographics, economies are redefined by globalization, and world powers are realigned. Executive coaches who aspire to work in this new environment will need to stretch their skills from the basics of diversity and cross-cultural awareness to a more sophisticated, cosmopolitan understanding of human differences and geographical dispersion. This article looks at some of the forces driving this change, reviews basic models of coaching and communication, and makes a case for enhanced coaching competence to reflect the changing environment. Then, three executive coaches with extraordinarily diverse clients are interviewed about their practices, challenges and advice for newcomers to the world of cosmopolitan coaching.