In this study 33 executive coaches from Australia/New Zealand and 29 purchasing
clients were interviewed about the functions of coaching supervision. Though coaches
cited supervision as the intervention they would be most likely to deploy if they felt the
need for emotional support few coaches said they often felt the need for such support.
The predominant function of coaching supervision for coaches was developmental. For
purchasing clients on the other hand the primary purpose of supervision was quality
control though only 21% of purchasing clients insist on supervision as part of a quality
assurance process. In this context the notion that coaching supervision should be
mandatory regular and undertaken individually with a qualified coach supervisor is
discussed.