Chapter 7 focuses on how to measure the effectiveness of coaching. Greif argues that a simple evaluation of results is not enough. To truly understand coaching’s impact, one must use an **Extended Evaluation Model** that considers three key areas:
- Preconditions:The initial state of the client, coach, and organization, including motivation, goals, and the organizational climate.
- Processes:The quality of the interaction during coaching, such as the working alliance, the coach’s behavior, and the client’s openness.
- Results: The outcomes of the coaching, which can be short-term (like satisfaction and goal attainment) or long-term (like career promotion and financial improvements).
The chapter reviews existing research, including meta-analyses, which show that coaching has positive effects, but the results are often strongest when based on subjective client ratings. Greif points out that coaching sometimes shows weaker effects than scientifically-based training methods and should ideally be more effective given its tailored nature.
A significant part of the chapter is dedicated to the methods and criteria for evaluation. Greif introduces practical rating scales and standardized scientific questionnaires that can be used to assess outcomes. He presents specific questionnaires developed for his research to measure factors like:
* Goal attainment and satisfaction.
* Self-regulation (including self-determination and self-motivation).
* Self-awareness and self-access.
* Need satisfaction and ability development.
The chapter also discusses the importance of evaluating “hard” criteria, such as economic performance indicators (KPIs) and physiological health data (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure), to provide more objective evidence of coaching’s effectiveness. Finally, Greif acknowledges that coaching can also have negative side effects, such as reduced job satisfaction or triggering deeper problems, which underscores the need for careful and comprehensive evaluation.
Greif, S. (2025). Examining Coaching Effectiveness. In: *The Future of Coaching: Building Bridges Between Science and Practice* (pp. 185-202). Springer, Cham.