How can you learn from other coaches about coaching research?

1 Why coaching research matters

Coaching research is the systematic and rigorous investigation of coaching processes, outcomes, and impacts. It can help you improve your coaching skills, validate your interventions, and demonstrate your value to your clients and stakeholders. Coaching research can also contribute to the advancement of coaching as a profession and a discipline, by building a body of knowledge and a code of ethics.

2 How to find coaching research

Finding relevant and reliable coaching research can be challenging due to its scattered nature across different sources, disciplines, and formats. To locate it, you can search for peer-reviewed journals that publish coaching articles, such as Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, International Coaching Psychology Review, and International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring. Additionally, you can follow coaching associations and organizations that offer research resources, such as the International Coach Federation (ICF), the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), and the Association for Coaching (AC). Attending coaching conferences and events that feature research presentations, workshops, and posters is also beneficial. Examples include the ICF Converge, the EMCC Research Conference, and the AC Global Coaching Research Conference. Lastly, subscribing to coaching newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and social media accounts that share research findings and implications is recommended. Examples include the Institute of Coaching, the Coaching Research Lab, and the Coaching at Work magazine.

3 How to connect with other researchers

Finding coaching research is only the first step. Connecting with other researchers who share your interests, challenges, and goals can be beneficial, such as exchanging feedback and ideas, collaborating on joint research initiatives, and expanding your network. To connect with other researchers, join online communities like the ICF Research Portal or the EMCC Research Network. Participate in webinars, seminars, and workshops like the ICF Research Special Interest Group or the AC Research Hub. Additionally, reach out to inspiring researchers via email, social media, or phone. Doing so can open up new opportunities for learning, mentoring, and career development.

4 How to share your research

Sharing your research is not only a way of disseminating your findings and contributing to the coaching field, but also a way of learning from other coaches and researchers. By doing so, you can receive constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement from your peers and experts, as well as raise your profile and credibility as a coach and researcher. Additionally, it can generate interest and awareness about your coaching services and products. There are several ways to share your research, such as submitting papers to coaching journals or magazines, presenting at coaching conferences or events, or creating a portfolio, blog, podcast, or social media account that showcases your research projects. For example, the Coaching Research Lab, the Evidence-Based Coaching podcast, and the Twitter account @coachingresearch all provide great ways to share your research.

5 How to apply your research

The ultimate goal of coaching research is to inform and enhance your coaching practice. Applying your research can help you develop or refine existing models, tools, techniques, and frameworks based on evidence and best practices, as well as adapt your approach to different contexts and clients. It can also help you evaluate your coaching effectiveness and impact. To apply your research, review your findings and identify the key takeaways for your coaching practice, incorporate relevant data or stories into your sessions or programs, and seek feedback from clients or colleagues on how it has improved your practice. Ultimately, finding, connecting with, sharing, and applying coaching research can help you learn from other coaches, enhance your skills, and advance the profession.