Australian Coaches’ Views on Coaching Supervision: A Study with Implications for Australian Coach Education, Training and Practice

Abstract

In the first study to examine Australian coaches’ views on supervision, 174 experienced professional Australian coaches competed an on-line survey; 82.7% of participants were receiving some form of supervision. There was overwhelming support for supervision, but 30% reported having a negative experience with supervision with complaints about peer group supervision and unskilled supervisors being most common. Coach supervision was seen as a complex skill set that has significant value in terms of delivering an opportunity for reflective practice, the development of insights and new perspectives, and assuring the delivery of good quality coaching, particularly in dealing with difficult cases. Recommendations are made for teaching, training and practice.

Keywords

• Coaching practice
• supervision
• evidence-based coaching