An exploration of the development of coaching in Malta and its creative aspects

Abstract

Internationally, coaching has grasped the attention of individuals and organisations coming from different backgrounds as it claims to improve performance and facilitates goal achievement towards success. Issues of concern among professionals and academics on its true nature and its effectiveness have been raised. Research has scrutinized the profession and, as evidence-based coaching literature becomes more available, coaching is able to claim to be a practice with unique characteristics and approaches. In Malta, however, coaching is still in its infancy and popularity is still scarce. The purpose of this study is to explore the development of coaching in Malta and its creative aspects. The research endeavours to investigate the following questions: How is coaching in Malta characterised by those who practice it? What are the models and techniques applied across the various coaching domains? Is creative thinking embedded in the coaching process? To date, no research has been conducted in Malta with regards to the coaching profession. Seven individuals who claim to offer coaching services participated in the study through individual semi-structured interviews. Thus, a qualitative research strategy was undertaken in the form of an exploratory approach. Each coach in the sample represented a specific coaching domain (life, health, executive and sports). The findings indicate that the nature and characteristics of coaching in Malta are following similar traits to the ones portrayed in the international coaching literature as common concepts were identified such as the focus on goal achievement and the facilitation of knowledge. Differences from other helping professions were also highlighted. Various techniques are employed by the coaches, some of which are found to be common across the different practices while others were more specific. All the participants in the study engage in techniques to re-programme client's mindsets and stimulate imagination. The creative process becomes evident in the way coaches engage their clients to overcome complex problems and make sense of ill-defined solutions.