At the intersection of performance: Personality and adult development in coaching

Abstract

Developmental coaching is increasingly recognised as an important and distinct approach in coaching as it aims to help the coaching client successfully master challenges arising out of the developmental process (Bachkirova, Cox, & Clutterbuck, 2010). Within personality theory – one of the most influential areas of psychology – the Five-Factor Model (FFM or ‘Big Five’, Goldberg, 1990; McCrae & Costa, 1990) is one of the most widely used and has been researched extensively, including with respect to work-based performance. This paper examines the established research literature to ascertain the impact of personality on adult development in the context of adult development theory, developmental coaching and work-based performance. In particular, it addresses the question to what extent, if at all, personality impacts adult development and whether interventions that address personality and performance can also be helpful and relevant to the developmental coaching process. Major findings suggest that personality changes over time, is heavily influenced by both genetic influences and environmental factors, and is strongly linked to work-based performance. Implications of findings for coaching practice suggest that developmental coaching needs to consider both developmental stage as well as personality traits, not because existing research indicates a strong link between the two – this is an area of suggested future research – but rather because both have clear but distinct empirical links to work-based performance.