Me? A politician! A focus on the power dynamics in the coaching space

Abstract : Rather than portraying the coaching space as developmental, increasing researchers have described it as a space for conformation, a practice for renewed forms of discipline. Using the critical incident method, this paper explores the nature of the coaching space. Our analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews of coaches confronted to tricky situations highlights the critical issue of the management of power dynamics in a coaching intervention, inviting coaches to embrace the political dimension of their practice.