Can working with an executive coach improve multisource feedback ratings over time? A quasi-experimental field study

This study examined the effects of executive coaching on multisource feedback over time. Participants were 1,361 senior managers who received multisource feedback; 404 of these senior managers worked with an executive coach (EC) to review their feedback and set goals. One year later, 1,202 senior managers (88% of the original sample) received multisource feedback from another survey. Managers who worked with an EC were more likely than other managers to set specific (rather than vague) goals (d = .16) and to solicit ideas for improvement from their supervisors (d = .36). Managers who worked with an EC improved more than other managers in terms of direct report and supervisor ratings, however, the effect size (d = .17) was small.