Coach and no regrets about it: On the life satisfaction, work-related mental strain, and use of supervision of workplace coaches

ABSTRACT

Previous research indicates that coaches frequently experience negative effects for themselves from their work and therefore live with potential stressors due to their work. This study examines whether or not workplace coaches are satisfied with their life. Data were gathered from 110 coaches (75% of which were self-employed) from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland via an online survey. Coaches were asked about different aspects of life satisfaction (concerning their job, financial situation, and leisure time) and work-related mental strain (i.e., cognitive and emotional strain). Compared to German population norm scores (including both employed and self-employed working individuals), coaches show higher satisfaction with their job and leisure time, and less work-related mental strain. Moreover, the vast majority of coaches would choose to be a workplace coach again in retrospect. Coaching supervision had a significant buffer effect on coaches’ job satisfaction when they experienced a high amount of work-related mental strain. Findings imply that coaches are able to counterbalance the possible negative effects on life satisfaction of their work as coaches. The use of coaching supervision appears to be a successful measure to maintain high satisfaction with their work as coaches despite an elevated level of mental strain.

KEYWORDS:

• Coaching
• negative effects
• life satisfaction
• job satisfaction
• mental strain
• coaching supervision

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Alessa A. Müller is a research associate at University of Kassel, Germany. Her research focuses on workplace coaching, leadership development, and diversity in trainings.

Silja Kotte is a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Kassel, Germany. Her research focuses on human resources development, particularly workplace coaching, training, and leadership development, and on group and team processes.

Heidi Möller is a professor of counselling psychology at University of Kassel, Germany. Her research focuses on workplace coaching, coaching supervision, and leadership development.