Personality-focused coaching for leadership development.

Abstract

The University of AucklandBusiness SchoolThe science of personality measurement in the workplace has developed a greatdeal in the past 2 decades, and the Þve-factor model (FFM) is generallyrecognized as the most notable taxonomy of OnormalO personality. Meanwhile,coaching has become a well-established method of one-on-one leadershipdevelopment in many organizations. Given the research investigating the rela-tionship between the FFM and work-related behavior and performance, includ-ing leadership, the authorsO aim is to advocate the proÞling of personalityagainst the FFM to provide a useful framework for behavioral change inexecutive coaching. Coaching typically deals with skill deÞcits, performanceproblems, change challenges, and issues raised by the executive himself orherself, and a research-based understanding of personalityÐbehavior linkagescan provide valuable insights for the coach and coachee and a path forward toa wide range of coaching challenges.Keywords: coaching, executive coaching, Þve-factor model, leadership devel-opment, personality