The Working Alliance in Coaching: Why Behavior Is the Key to Success

The relationship between coach and client is an essential factor for coaching success. Although researchers have repeatedly called for an investigation of the actual interaction between coach and client to better understand their relationship, previous research has been based primarily on questionnaire data. We analyzed the working relationship of 31 videotaped coaching dyads by means of interaction analysis and questionnaires. We coded relationship-relevant behaviors initiated by the coach or the client, focusing on indicators of the working relationship such as (a) their agreement on goals and tasks and (b) appraisal and bonding. Results showed no correlation between behavioral and questionnaire data. As expected, client-initiated agreement on goals/tasks was positively related to coaching success. Surprisingly, coach-initiated agreement on goals/tasks had the opposite effect, whereas bonding behaviors did not influence coaching success. Results underscore the importance of an active client in the coaching process, and promote interaction analyses in coaching research.