Theory and research on coaching practices

To date the coaching literature has been dominated by practitioner contributions, and the commercial coaching industry itself has been significantly influenced by simplistic folk psychology and pseudoscientific approaches. There has been a paucity of solid theory and empirical research. Advances in inclustrial/organisational psychology often occur from adapting theories, concepts and methods from other subdisciplines of psychology. The explicit linking of coaching practice to existing psychological frameworks and empirical research will help develop an evidence-based approach to coaching. Theories and research that may usefully inform coaching practice include Dweck's implicit person theory, Locke and Latham's goal theory, and a range of sociocognitive theories. The application of findings from empirical research guided by theory are far more likely to prove valuable than coaching based on fads, fashion and folderol.