This short paper is a response to Martin et al.’s (2012) assertion that Big Five factor scores are open to the influence of coaching interventions. It is based on an inspection of two key sources cited by the original authors.

The first of these reports on the impact of life experiences on the long-term plasticity of Big 5 personality scores and the second on the impact of concentrated short-term coaching. Whilst there is support for long-term plasticity, the case for short-term coaching effects is unconvincing and coaches may be better served by focussing on the achievement of clients’ personal goals.

Full article: International Coaching Psychology Review Vol. 8 No. 1 March 2013 Page 99-100