Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Power of Relationships: Navigating the Dance of Change through Executive Coaching

Abstract Details

2018, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Management.
Executive coaching is a $2.4 billion global industry as of 2016 and is considered one of the fastest-growing executive leadership development interventions. However, empirical research on executive coaching has significantly lagged behind practice. The overarching goal of this dissertation endeavors to understand how executive coaching and quality of the coaching relationship facilitate executive behavior change and performance. To realize this goal, I conduct a mixed-methods empirical study focused on 1) qualitative exploration of factors impacting outstanding versus average leader performance; 2) quantitative assessment of the correlation between relational climate dimensions and coaching relationship quality; and 3) qualitative discovery of competencies enabling quality coaching relationships to flourish. Given the lack of executive coaching theory, I situate this work within three distinct, yet interrelated streams of literature in the psychology, management, and adult learning fields. This dissertation seeks to contribute to the emergent conversation on executive coaching and offers multiple empirical contributions to academia including 1) positive influence of a coach on executive performance; 2) positive correlation of relational climate dimensions with coaching relationship quality; 3) mutual validation of competencies executive coaching dyads experience as relevant and meaningful in their interactions; 4) frequency of specific coach competencies as demonstrated or observed within the coaching dyad; and 5) integration of dance into the executive coaching field as a leadership development intervention. Moreover, the results of this dissertation offer practitioners the following considerations: 1) executive coaching differentiates executive performance; 2) the bespoke nature of executive coaching enables executives to deftly navigate complexity; 3) the quality of the coaching relationship is instrumental in facilitating executives’ desired behavior change; 4) effective coaches employ a broad diversity of tools to adapt to clients’ needs; and 5) quality coaches may focus on specific learning areas to grow and stay on top of their game.
Richard Boyatzis, PhD (Committee Chair)
Dave Aron, MD (Committee Member)
Melvin Smith, PhD (Committee Member)
Ellen Van Oosten, PhD (Committee Member)
217 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Nash, J. (2018). The Power of Relationships: Navigating the Dance of Change through Executive Coaching [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1522777110365909

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Nash, Jennifer. The Power of Relationships: Navigating the Dance of Change through Executive Coaching. 2018. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1522777110365909.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Nash, Jennifer. "The Power of Relationships: Navigating the Dance of Change through Executive Coaching." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1522777110365909

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)