Abstract
M.Phil.
The focus of this research was to determine if self-awareness could be created
through a coaching intervention and limited spiritual and emotional assessments.
The further focus of the study was to expand on prior research from Hattingh (2000),
where the concept of self-awareness as a condition for personal leadership was
researched.
From personal experiences, the researcher questioned the course of events that he
experienced by asking: "Do we have to wait for the negative trigger event, which is
traumatic to most, to start or continue a developmental process of being?" Therefore,
from a personal perspective, the researcher has asked the question, "Can an
intervention, which creates self-awareness, serve as a positive trigger event for an
individual personal leadership development process?"
The research problem for this thesis is grounded in the contention of the researcher
that individuals do not understand the gap between theory and application of theory
in development of personal leadership skills.
This research therefore attempted to determine what level of guidance is required for
individuals, in determining their own existing conditioning, potential and possibilities
for authentic personal development and from this perspective understand the gap in
application of known personal leadership development methods, to existing real
world problems.
In determining this level of guidance, it was required that the researcher fulfill dual
roles during the process, that is as researcher and coach. In the process of applying
Action Research to this research, the researcher could apply the information from the
interventions to his own practices in the coaching interventions.
It is the contention of the proposed research that if individuals are given the right
measurement tools, is aware of their potential, is provided with an appropriate developmental framework, is supported by caring leaders; they will succeed in
mastery of themselves. Furthermore, they can become motivated to understand how
they can help others to develop to their full human potential.
As motivation for the study, the expansion to prior research into self-awareness and
intrinsic motivation was a key driver. The research attempted to add to the body of
knowledge of coaching and in particular to the areas of Life and Executive Coaching.
The research area included the use of Coaching as a positive trigger intervention to
stimulate Personal Leadership Development.
Furthermore, the intention of this research created the right situation for individuals to
question their own competence, autonomy to develop and how that related to others
in their lives, in order to enhance personal leadership growth.
The research introduced the linking of the concepts - of Self-Awareness and Intrinsic
Motivation where individuals are able to build gradual competence in an environment,
of a coaching framework for individuals or a group, where a sense of autonomy, by
exercising choice, is built and the individual can relate to the acceptance of self and
others, in a similar situation.
The research design connected the iterative approach of Action Research, the
positive focused approach of the Appreciative Inquiry and the relationship building
potential of the Focus Group inquiry.
As part of the research methodology the application of Action Research or otherwise
referred to as Participatory Research, formed the basis of the approach. This
approach was considered to be suitable as the process required a collaborative effort
between the researcher and the participants.
The research determined that a coaching intervention could trigger self-awareness
and create a shift in motivation, which provided individual challenge, perceived
competence, perceived autonomy or control and created the relatedness with others.