Culture and the coaching practitioner: An interview with Dr Alastair Macfarlane

Abstract

Dr Alastair Macfarlane is a management practitioner, consultant and coach in the international domain. In this interview he explains how he takes a holistic approach to the preparation for an international assignment. Macfarlane emphasises the importance in coaching of self-awareness, the ability to reflect and being open to learn, as well as a consideration for the needs of any family that may come along. He tells of his own experiences and confrontations with cultures that were not his own, and gives practical advice for coaches working with a global workforce and organisations looking to send their employees abroad.

Keywords

• cross-cultural coaching
• international assignments
• expatriation
• virtual coaching
• global competence