Silence and Disclosure: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study into the Experience of Workplace Coaching whilst facing Stressful Life Events At Home

Abstract

Organisations typically offer counselling to employees who experience stressful life events at home, and coaching to a much lesser extent. Yet my own experience suggests coaching can play a valuable role in support and action. A transcendental phenomenological methodology was adopted to gain vivid descriptions of the subjective experience of being coached, synthesised into an overarching essence. Findings highlight disclosure and boundaries were key themes, as was the interplay of coaching with concurrent therapeutic interventions. For organisations, the study supports the use of coaching as a tool for employee wellbeing and the creation of an emotionally literate culture.

Keywords

• silence
• disclosure
• executive coaching
• transcendental phenomenology
• stressful life events