Flipping to digital: The coach’s perspective on the limited adoption of technology in coaching

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis transformed the coaching practice overnight from a face-to-face to online practice. This study explores the impact of how coaches are using technology and their experiences in the digital coaching environment. The study adopts a reflexive thematic analysis using semi-structured one-to-one interviews with nine executive coaches. Several key findings emerged. First, coaches use technology mainly to perform remote coaching. Second, technology was crucial in the survival of many coaching businesses through the COVID-19 crisis. Finally, there are concerns about the risks associated with digital coaching. The paper suggests actions which coaches and professional bodies can take to mitigate.

Keywords

• digital coaching
• technology-enabled coaching
• remote coaching
• covid-19