Coaching shouldn't be non-directive – or even directive: really responding to needs

Ian Cunningham

doi:10.1108/14777280810886355

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Development and Learning in Organizations

ISSN: 1477-7282
Previously published as: Training Strategies for Tomorrow

Online from: 2003

Subject Area: Learning and Development

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Coaching shouldn't be non-directive – or even directive: really responding to needs

Document Information:
Title:	Coaching shouldn't be non-directive – or even directive: really responding to needs
Author(s):	Ian Cunningham, (University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.)
Citation:	Ian Cunningham, (2008) "Coaching shouldn't be non-directive – or even directive: really responding to needs", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 22 Iss: 4, pp.5 - 7
Keywords:	Coaching, Leadership development, Sports, Workplace training
Article type:	Viewpoint
DOI:	10.1108/14777280810886355 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Abstract:	Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an antidote to the supposed divide between directive and non-directive coaching. Design/methodology/approach – The article is based on work done in a variety of organizations as well as published sources. The paper quotes published work as well as personal experience. Findings – There is an alternative to the directive/non-directive debate. Coaches need to be clear about the person they are working with and the problems they face before offering or pointing to solutions to these problems. Practical implications – The article has real practical implications for leaders/managers, coaches and learning and development professionals. The model discussed within it provides a secure basis on which coaches can offer a real service to clients. Originality/value – The article will be of value to managers and learning specialists/coaches as it raises important issues about the need to take a realistic view about coaching practice.