Given these preliminary considerations, alternative approaches, and cautionary notes, we present the mean scores and variances for each of the three questions in a hierarchical manner–from high to low. We turn first to the question about how coaches currently feel, beginning with the mean scores for the first survey, listing the means from highest to lowest:
Question One: Currently, how often do you feel …
b. Unsure how best to deal effectively with a client. (mean = 1.52)
a.Lacking confidence that you can provide a beneficial effect for a client. (mean = 1.46)
h. Irritated by a client who seems to be actively blocking your efforts.(mean = 1.03)
l Bogged down with a client in a relationship that seems to be going nowhere.(mean = 1.03)
f. Distressed by your inability to impact a client’s life or work situation (mean = 1.03)
c. In danger of losing control of a coaching conversation to a client. (mean = 0.93)
i. Unable to comprehend the essence of a client’s problem.(mean = 0.93)
k. Conflicted about how to reconcile obligations to a client and equivalent obligation to others.(mean = 0.90)
e. Uneasy that your personal values make it difficult to maintain an appropriate
attitude toward a client.(mean = 0.75)
m. Frustrated with a client for wasting your time.(mean = 0.74)
d. Unable to have much real empathy for a client’s experiences. (mean = 0.68)
g. Troubled by ethical issues that have arisen in your work with a client.(mean = 0.66)
j. Unable to find something to like or respect in a client.(mean = 0.41)
We now list the means in order of magnitude for the first question from the second survey:
Question One: Currently, how often do you feel …
a.Lacking confidence that you can provide a beneficial effect for a client.(mean = 1.47)
b. Unsure how best to deal effectively with a client.(mean = 1.38)
f. Distressed by your inability to impact a client’s life or work situation. (mean = 1.07)
c. In danger of losing control of a coaching conversation to a client.(mean = 0.91)
h. Irritated by a client who seems to be actively blocking your efforts.(mean = 0.86)
l Bogged down with a client in a relationship that seems to be going nowhere.(mean = 0.86)
m. Frustrated with a client for wasting your time.(mean = 0.72)
i. Unable to comprehend the essence of a client’s problem.(mean = 0.71)
k. Conflicted about how to reconcile obligations to a client and equivalent obligation to others.(mean = 0.64)
d. Unable to have much real empathy for a client’s experiences.(mean = 0.62)
e. Uneasy that your personal values make it difficult to maintain an appropriate
attitude toward a client.(mean = 0.57)
g. Troubled by ethical issues that have arisen in your work with a client.(mean = 0.57)
j. Unable to find something to like or respect in a client.(mean = 0.34)
Rey Carr
December 17, 2015 at 4:00 pm
The best part of this report of the results of these two surveys is the discussion of the concepts. Such discussion is valuable regardless of the reliability or validity of the results (or evidence).
Unfortunately, the methodology section is missing the most important aspect of methodology: how were each of the surveys distributed and what was the rate of return. If, as I suspect, this was an Internet-based survey, then the results have an exceptionally low chance of being either reliable or valid. That is, the likelihood that they reflect the “coaching industry” or “a typical coach” is incredibly small. Thus, conclusions based on the results are suspect.
But there’s the point. The discussion itself has its own reliability and validity independent of the survey. The points made are worthy of continuing discussion regardless of the surveys.