What makes coaching relationships effective? A systematic literature review identifying five areas of influence

The coaching relationship is recognized as a key factor for coaching success, yet its specific components remain unclear. This article presents an evidence-based integrative systematic literature review, including 206 documents. Findings indicate that although the coaching relationship is often examined as one of several factors influencing coaching success, its composition and underlying elements have rarely been studied. Moreover, the client’s perspective has been largely overlooked. A theoretical model was developed to interpret the data, offering a conceptual ‘map’ of the coaching relationship. The paper highlights areas for future research, emphasizing the need for a deeper exploration of client experiences.