How have workplace coaches experienced coaching during the Covid-19 pandemic?

J Irving International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring 2021

This exploratory interpretive study provides impactful preliminary evidence on which to base further research into coaching amid challenging circumstances. Thematic analysis of transcript and visual data from eleven semi-structured interviews examines practitioner perspectives of workplace coaching during the exceptional disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic when abnormal stress amongst professionals was widespread. Findings revealed multiple environmental pressures affecting both coaches and coachees. These pressures added complexity to managing coaching interactions, driving intentional self-care on the part of coaches as well as multiple delivery-oriented innovations. Flexibility and adaptive capacity were found to be foundational for successful practice.