A Professional Development Study: The Lifelong Journeys of Coaches

A Hullinger, J DiGirolamo International Coaching Psychology Review 2020

Every coach is on a journey. The moment they enter a coach training programme or begin coaching, they enter a path of exploration with clients as well as beginning self-exploration, discernment and experiencing profound shifts. This study investigates that journey through the lens of professional development, expertise, and a way of being. Through semi-structured interviews of a wide range of coaches, from novice to expert, a set of differences along a spectrum has been compiled, along with development strategies to assist coaches on this journey toward expertise. Also explored is how coaches stay fit for purpose and an assessment of the demand for coach education, the offerings for such education, and an assessment of the real needs for coaches to develop toward expertise.