Empirical Studies into Coaching in the Workplace

Sewon Kim ^1* Rajashi Ghosh ² Rob Poell ³ Terrence E Maltbia ²

• ¹ The State University of New York (SUNY) | Empire State, New York, United States
• ² Columbia University, New York City, New York, United States
• ³ Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands

As coaching becomes a key developmental tool for executives, managers, and employees, the call for a solid theoretical and empirical basis is on the rise. Scholars have underscored the need for a theoretical basis that enhances the practice of coaching and the importance of exploring coaching mechanisms across both conventional and alternative forms (Boyatzis et al., 2022). This special issue responds to that call. Herein, we present research studies that explore executive coaching effectiveness, digital coaching, artificial intelligence (AI) in coaching, managerial behaviors and beliefs, and the impact of humor in the professional coaching process.The special issue presents theoretical and empirical articles of both relevance and rigor in the scientific investigation of coaching. Across the six articles, the special issue introduces theoretical frameworks and underpinnings that can ground and exemplify coaching practice. Spanning various topical areas, these articles offer an empirical base of original research on different types and approaches to coaching. Through these contributions, this special issue consolidates and synthesizes extant academic research on coaching and provides implications for advanced coaching practice as well as future research agenda. The six articles in this special issue tackle different aspects of coaching, adding valuable insights into the field: Effectiveness: This article brings clarity to the psychological dimensions that are most impacted by executive coaching, advancing our understanding of how executive coaching can be used by managers to increase performance in organizations. The authors conducted a meta-analysis of 20 studies that employed rigorous experimental designs and found that the impact of coaching on behavioral outcomes was higher compared to other person characteristics outcomes, indicating that cognitive behavioral activities are most likely to be impacted by executive coaching. study presents coaching behaviors that managers enact along with a comprehensive understanding of their guiding beliefs. Rich descriptions illustrate the findings and implications for theory, research, and practice are also discussed. This study assesses the predictive validity of the widely used Employee Perceptions of Supervisor/Line Manager Coaching Behavior Measure managerial coaching scale (CBI) using a longitudinal design. It highlights the complex relationships between managerial coaching and various workplace outcomes. 6. Humor in Professional Coaching: This research focuses on the use of humor in coaching dialogues. The authors conducted a systematic literature review on humor and drew insights from counseling, psychotherapy, mentoring, and related fields. They argue that humor can be an effective tool for strengthening coaching processes and interactions.The study proposes that coach training and education incorporate humor as a valuable strategy for enhancing the coaching alliance. The articles presented in our special issue collectively contribute to the advancement of coaching. They illuminate the multifaceted nature and richness of coaching and provide empirical evidence for coaching across both traditional and alternative practice formats. The studies demonstrate that workplace coaching practice is shaped by various elements, including the coach's beliefs and methods, the attitudes of the clients they coach, the channel through which coaching is conveyed, and the use of humor in coaching interactions. They also suggest that simulated AI coaches have the potential to be valuable complements to human coaches. Together, these findings signal new possibilities for coaching in the workplace.In conclusion, this special issue of Frontiers in Psychology highlights the evolving landscape of coaching scholarship, emphasizing its transformative role in both individual and organizational development. The featured research advances our understanding of coaching practices, methodologies, and outcomes, with implications for practitioners and academics alike. Future research could explore questions such as: How can coaching more effectively integrate with hybrid intelligence? What mechanisms most impact sustained behavioral change in those being coached? And, how can coaching adapt to diverse cultural and digital contexts? These questions open pathways for continued investigation in advancing coaching as a dynamic field.