How to show empathy as a coach
The effects of coaches’ imagine-self versus imagine-other empathy on the client’s self-change and coaching outcome
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21626355 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sandra J Diller (0000-0002-7188-7548, University of Salzburg, corresponding author), Christina Mühlberger (0000-0001-7556-4247, University of Salzburg), Nele Löhlau (University of Salzburg), Eva Jonas (0000-0003-1016-3076, University of Salzburg) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue | 14 |
| Pages | 11917-11935 |
| Publication date | 2023-05-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Current Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1046-1310 • E-ISSN: 1936-4733 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s12144-021-02430-y |
| OpenAlex | W3211748054 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 77 |
Cognitive empathy, expressed as either imagine-self (imagining oneself in the other’s situation) or imagine-other (imagining the other person in his/her situation) empathy, is essential for self-change and satisfaction in coaching. In two studies, we investigated the difference between coaches’ imagine-self versus imagine-other empathy. In a survey study ( N 1 = 242), we found that the more important coaches perceived the client’s self-change, the more valuable they not only rated empathy in general but also imagine-other (but not imagine-self) empathy in particular. In an experimental study ( N 2 = 57), we manipulated the coaches’ imagine-self versus imagine-other empathy and examined the effect on the clients’ self-change and coaching satisfaction. The results revealed a positive effect of imagine-other (but not imagine-self) empathy on these coaching outcome factors. Thus, one main practical implication is the relevance of showing imagine-other instead of imagine-self empathy as a coach. However, future research should investigate other personnel development approaches like mentoring or training with regard to imagine-self versus imagine-other empathy
Coaching · Empathy · Psychotherapist · Self-awareness · Coaching Methods and Impact · Emotional Intelligence and Performance · Psychological Treatments and Assessments · Psychology · Social Psychology
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| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |