Race matters in coaching: An empirical study of coaches’ willingness to have difficult conversations with leaders of color.

What is it about?

This study found that executive coaches struggled to have “difficult conversations” with Black clients. More specifically, Black clients received more support but less challenge, less constructive feedback, and less time devoted to areas of development than did otherwise identical White clients. Coaches were also twice as likely to provide diversity-related feedback to White leaders than they were to Black leaders.

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Why is it important?

The best coaches provide both challenge and support. These findings suggest that coaches may not be adequately challenging their Black clients--presumably out of concern they will come across as prejudiced. As a result, Black clients may be robbed of developmental opportunities offered to White coaching clients.