APCD Journal Vol 3, No 1, Article 2

Title

Enhancing Coaching Effectiveness: Conseling Skills and Coaching Practice in Aotearoa New Zealand

• Raewyn Laurenson Elder, Doctoral student, University of Auckland, New Zealand

From an Aotearoa New Zealand perspective, this article considers the potential contribution of advanced counseling skills and knowledge to the work of coaches. Many coaches recruited to work within organizations are charged with the responsibility of maximizing professionals’ performance. In contemporary workplaces, relatively superficial performance concerns may conceal symptoms of stress or of other psychological problems undermining employee effectiveness. Although New Zealand coaches tend to have a strong industry background, they tend to lack training in counseling beyond basic microskills, and may be unable to recognize or address psychological issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression. This discussion of the utility of counseling skills in coaching practice incorporates reference to international literature and to an illustrative case example in which a professional reflects on the effectiveness of coaching that addressed his underlying psychological struggles, facilitated by a coach equipped with advanced counseling skills.

Aotearoa is the Indigenous Māori word for New Zealand. It is used to honor the bicultural nature of New Zealand.