Ethical coaching across cultures

The development of ethical values in economy and society is the main condition of business, preservation of competitiveness and economic efficiency in post-industrial and global contexts. As Gerhard Winter states in ‘Handbuch Interkulturelle Kommunikation und Kooperation’ there are three main reasons. Firstly, the increasing importance of the human as ´whole personality´ for the succeeding accomplishment of current changes and sustainable business success. Secondly, the lack of universal, obligatory – national and international – values as the basis of healthy corporate culture and successful intercultural management. And thirdly, the compensation of global economic- and social-political conditions by voluntary self-commitment to avoid extreme regulations and control and to secure business liberty.

Coaching as a type of counselling is in fashion. Personal and life, executive or leadership and business coaching are just a few genres in its’ practice. The history of coaching began in sports and was taken over in the 1980’s by business and slowly has found its’ utilization in the private area of life. But still dominant is its’ usage in the field of business and management. Hence, it appears important to take a closer look at the ‘tool’ Coaching. Does the use of coaching really works in various settings, especially in intercultural management? Do its ethical demands match with the routine of organizations and their managements? May coaching have an effect on ethics in intercultural management?