How do coaches and clients create and experience thinking environments?

Abstract

This constructivist grounded theory research explored how coaches facilitate clients to become critical in their coaching environment. Critical thinking has been described as a core competency and skill that is needed for leaders since a deficiency in critical thinking skills creates consequences for individuals as well as their organisations. Constructivist grounded theory methodology was used for this research as a systematic and rigorous method for the data collection and analysis. Interviews were conducted with coaches and clients through a total of 40 interviews. The narratives of these experiences were used to develop a theoretical framework which shows the importance of three elements that come together to create a critical thinking environment for coaching: contracting, thinking space and the physical environment.