A New Sense of Self: Exploring the Experience of Coaching during a Full Time Master of Business Administration Programme

Abstract

This study used the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach to explore how five full time Master of Business Administration (FTMBA) students experienced coaching during their studies. Life stage transition was apparent for all five students and coaching was found to help the participants to deepen their self-awareness and develop a more empowered sense of self. The safe holding space provided by coaching was a key source of support which enabled them to deal with the psychological adjustments inherent in transition and to develop new strategies to realise their future vision. Implications and recommendations for coaching theory and practice are discussed.

Keywords

• interpretative phenomenological analysis
• transition
• life stage
• MBA
• coaching