How do coach-mentors describe their experience of supporting clients undergoing

transformational change

Elke Hanssmann10th Annual Coaching and Mentoring Research

Conference Oxford Brookes University

Thursday, January 16th, 2014

to investigate the “magic ingredients” which together result in personal transformation by exploring expert coach-mentors’ experiences of supporting clients undergoing transformational change.

What is the nature of the support coaches provide that enables transformational change?

What core components need to come together to result in transformational change?

What happens between coach and client that results in transformational change?

A faith-based international NGO6000 + staff Staff representing 100 + nationalitiesBranches in 115 + countriesHolistic staff development integral to NGO core values

1. Case studystrong focus on the context (Yin, 2009) would shift the emphasis away from what I was really seeking to explore (expert coaches’ real-life experiences)2. Heuristic inquiry wary of the strong focus on myself using ‘self-search, self-dialogue and self-discovery’ at the expense of learning from other exceptional coaches (Moustakas, 1990, p.11)

3. Transcendental phenomenologythe assumption that the researcher could achieve ‘a pure and absolute transcendental ego, a completely unbiased and presupposition-less state’ (Moustakas, 1994, p.60) seemed problematic und undesirable for me.

1. Qualitative‘methodologies that celebrate richness, depth, nuance, context, multi-dimensionality and complexity’ (Mason, 2002, p.1)

2.Phenomenological = lived experience/real-life accounts‘fine-tuned detail...in study participants’ own terms’ (Ritchie, 2003, p.27)

3. IPA (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis)

3a) overtly interpretativerecognises the ‘detective work…required by the researcher’ to bring forth the ‘phenomenon ready to shine’ (Smith et al., 2009, p.35)

using ‘double hermeneutic’ where ‘the researcher is trying to make sense of... [how] participants...make sense of their world’ (Clarke, 2009, p.38)

3b) phenomenological deep, nuanced and detailed exploration of lived experience and ‘the meaning… bestowed by the participant on experience’ (Smith et al., 2009, p.33)

3c) idiographic nature - committed to giving full attention to each case

Nationality Age Givenname andgender

8 + years with OM

Leadership development

Christian Years working cross- culturally

Malaysia 38 Joy, F 8 Yes Yes 8 years

Xhosa/Namibia

41 Thabo, M 14 Yes Yes 13 years

South Africa 56 Pat, M 24 Yes Yes 23 years

South Africa 50 Preety, F 21 Yes Yes 25 years

UK 61 Ian, M 27 Yes Yes 34 years

USA 61 Al, M 17 Yes Yes 17 years

Kvale and Brinkmann (2009, p.86) describe interviewing as an art that involves ‘intuition, creativity, improvisation and breaking the rules’ with interview techniques that may be ‘unconventional and novel’

Master - Theme 1: Coach-Mentoring as Hospitality

Master – Theme 2: Inviting Clients into their Future

Master –Theme 3: The Mystery of Metamorphosis

- intentional creation of a transformational safe space

- Use of self as primary instrument key

- Loving dis-interest/ non-possesive caring

Tandem features: challenge and support

Generosity (resources, insight, life, access, vulnerability

and self-disclosure)

Synergetic effect of coaches’ delight

Seeing and articulating potential – transformational power of hope

Befriending the future – reframing The power of presence while

holding turmoil

Holistic growth into a larger life – authenticity enhances capacity

Importance of clients’ intrinsic change readiness

Chrysalis – the best is yet to come Coaching with a long-term view

Spirituality as a anchor and resource to relinquish results

Focus only on coach-mentors – not clients

Same organisation-though different countries

Time frame

Future research:Longitudinal Corporate contextThe client’s side

For coming For taking an interest

For listening For engaging

Elke Hanssmannelke.hanssmann@om.orgCoaching, Training, Consulting