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Original Article

Side Effects of Business Coaching and Their Predictors From the Coachees’ Perspective

Published Online:July 22, 2016https://doi.org/10.1027/1866-5888/a000161

Abstract

Abstract. Sound research demonstrates the substantial positive effects of business coaching, but little is known about potential side effects. This study sheds light on the characteristics of side effects of coaching from the coachees’ perspective and investigates three possible predictors: relationship quality between coach and coachee, the coach’s expertise, and the coachees’ motivation to change. Data was collected in a time-lagged design from 111 coachees who received business coaching in Germany. Coachees reported that side effects were frequent but with low to moderate intensity. The number of side effects was negatively associated with relationship quality at both measurement times and with coach’s expertise at Time 1. Results expand knowledge about side effects of coaching and reveal opportunities for how they can be reduced.

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