Using Experiential Learning for Adopting a Growth Mindset Among Coaches in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate how coaches adopt a growth mindset using the ‘heart and mind’ of coaching in the Teamcoach International’s Certified Professional Coach (CPC) Program. The CPC program adopts experiential learning throughout the 8 modules over 3 months. Data for this qualitative study was collected from 30 coaches randomly selected from a population of 200 coaches who completed the CPC program. A survey questionnaire was distributed to the coaches after each of the four one-to-one coaching sessions with their clients. The unit of analysis was the individual coaches enrolled in the CPC program. Case analysis and cross case analysis were conducted to identify growth mindset themes and sub-themes based on Kolb’s experiential learning theory to illustrate the “heart” (concrete experiences and reflective observation), the “mind” (abstract conceptualization) and the combination of “heart” and “mind” (active experimentation).