Presence in Executive Coaching Conversations – The C2 Model

R Noon International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring 2018

Presence is considered by the practitioner community to be a key factor in coaching effectiveness and is recognised as an important coaching competence. Yet to date, there has been little formal research into this phenomenon in executive coaching. By adopting a constructivist stance, this qualitative study uses the methodology of conceptual encounter, combined with the novel extension of a focus group to map the structure and nature of presence in this context. Findings generated the “C2 Model”, which highlights the importance of client presence, emphasises a dynamic nature, and suggests a link to wellbeing and moments of insight. Conditions for presence were also reported and its utility was assessed. Overall, the study concludes that presence is a way of being that is an important factor in effective coaching and relevant to both client and coach.