Yi-Ling Lai
Power relationships in the coaching process: A social psychological lens
Dr Yi-Ling Lai
This presentation aims to discuss the power issues, such as hierarchical structure in organisations, in the coaching process. The presentation commences the critical history of coaching via a social psychological lens. In addition, an in-depth analysis of potential power dynamics and political issues in the workplace coaching is followed. Moreover, a recent study in professional coaches’ identity work is summarised to offer coaches a roadmap to cope with and thrive in the power relationship in their coaching career.
Dr Yi-Ling Lai is the Lecturer (Assistant Professor) of HRM and Organisational Behaviour at the University of Southampton. Prior to joining Southampton Business School. She had a number of years experiences in other academic institutions in the UK, including Birkbeck College, University of London and University of Portsmouth. Research mainly concentrates on the psychological evidence in the coaching process, such as the three-way working alliance and coaches’ identity work. Yi-Ling has taken active roles in several sub-committees of the British Psychological Society (BPS), such as the Editor of International Coaching Psychology Review (ICPR) under at the Division of Coaching Psychology (DoCP) between 2020-2023