Exploring the use of coaching for the development of Saudi Arabian healthcare managers through the perspectives of coaches, coachees and coaching sponsors

This qualitative research which arose from questions that originated in my coaching and healthcare practices explores the use of coaching for developing healthcare managers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through the perspectives of coaches, coaching recipients/ coachees, and coaching sponsors. The overall purpose of the research is to contribute to positive developments in models of coaching practice in healthcare and to generate local and international interest in conducting research into coaching in KSA. The research aims are to undertake research that illuminates coaching practice in KSA healthcare; raise the profile of coaching for development in KSA healthcare; explore the use of coaching in KSA healthcare through the perspectives of the participants, and richly describe the context of the research and of the research participants. Four research objectives were identified to deliver the research aims.
The research makes distinctive theory and practice contributions. Firstly, it contributes to crosscultural coaching theory by exploring the use of coaching in KSA healthcare and elucidating the significant and complex cultural meanings that apply within this context. Secondly, it provides an emerging framework for coaching in KSA healthcare, which I currently use in my own practice, and which has potential utility to Human Resource and Organisational Development (HROD) practitioners working in KSA.
Utilising a qualitative, case study design viewed through an ethnographic lens, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of fourteen coaches, coachees, and coaching sponsors. Through thematic analysis of the interview data, five main themes were constructed. Coaching as a Way of Living reveals that coaching is encouraged in Islam. Trust is critical and its anatomy is complex and nuanced. Coaching Defined indicates that clarity about what coaching is/is not is apparently not as important as other issues such as trust. Coaching Impact denotes that success is measured through constructs such as impact and value. The Coach’s personal attributes emerges as being critical to coaching success.
While coaches constitute the main audience for this research, there are implications for coaching recipients and coaching sponsors. Recommendations are made relative to theory, practice, policy, and future research.