| Summary: | Executive group coaching, as a development intervention, and interest in coaching
research has steadily increased over the years. Psychodynamic group coaching and
coaching programmes have, however, received limited empirical attention. In this study,
the researcher argues the criticality for coaches in better understanding of unconscious
group coaching dynamics. The researcher felt that by designing a Systems
Psychodynamic Executive Group Coaching Programme (SPEGCP) as a
psychoeducational developmentally focused learning opportunity would allow for an
exploration of systemic conscious and unconscious group coaching dynamic behaviours.
The researcher sought to explore, describe and analyse the lived experiences of
coaches in the SPEGCP.
Interpretative phenomenological hermeneutic, using systems psychodynamic
perspective as a theoretical framework, served the study well by enabling the researcher
to apply in-depth description and interpretation. A case study research strategy was
adopted were individual participants were analysed and then integrated across
participants analysis of findings. The study revealed the structured nature of the
SPEGCP acted as a container, transitional object, and containment for coaches.
SPEGCP contributed to the development of insights into the unconscious group
coaching dynamics related to role, authority, boundary and identity manifested in
uncertainties, role confusion, person-role-organisation dynamic influences and defensive structures in the paranoid-schizoid position, and reflective containment for learning in the
depressive position. The quality of the relationship between the consultant-coach and
group, and the systems psychodynamic consulting and coaching stance, were critical
for exploration and reflective insights to emerge. As the systems psychodynamic group
coaching and consulting stance can add significant value to the growth and functioning
of coaches, and thus executives and their groups in which they operate, a study of this
nature was important if not critical. The study provides an opportunity to consider that
this third generation type of evidence based consulting and coaching be viewed as an
integrated part of the development of coaches, consultants, and thus executive groups. === Psychology === D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)
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