The Impact of Word Choice in Business Coaching

Adedayo Ogunleye*
Adedayo Ogunleye Business Coaching Academy (AOBC Academy), Oyo, Nigeria.
Periodicity:January - April'2025
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jecom.5.1.20990

Abstract

A major construct that underpins a successful business coaching session is communicating properly with the right kind of words. This study examines the significance of the words the business coaches use in their coaching sessions in a sample of 150 professional coaches and their effect on the outcomes of coaching sessions through a mixed-method approach. It uses both the quantitative analysis of surveys and performance metrics and the qualitative transcription of coaching sessions and interviews with the coaches and coachees. The research shows that coachees who are talked to by their coach using positive and uplifting language tend to be much more motivated and engaged. When coaches use solution-focused and growth-oriented vocabulary, coachees benefit from a more productive coaching experience and show tangible performance improvements. When coaches use more negative or vague language, coachees tend to report lower satisfaction with the coaching and less progress. This research highlights how important language precision can be in the coaching context and how coaches can maximize the helpfulness of their interventions by using particular types of words to achieve a positive and productive flow of their conversations. Such empirical evidence can enrich the coaching academic landscape by suggesting empirically valid guidelines that contribute to improving coaching communication strategies and practices coherently.

Keywords

Business Coaching, Word Choice, Communication Strategies, Coachee Performance, Linguistic Impact, Coaching Effectiveness.

How to Cite this Article?

Ogunleye, A. (2025). The Impact of Word Choice in Business Coaching. i-manager’s Journal on Economics & Commerce, 5(1), 6-18. https://doi.org/10.26634/jecom.5.1.20990

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