Sustainability for Women in High Performance Coaching: A Qualitative Study on the Role of High Performance Leadership in Facilitating Healthy Work-Life Balance in High Performance Coaching

Abstract

Background. Female high performance (HP) coaches remain underrepresented in HP sports. One of the challenges to this is maintaining a healthy work-life balance within a profession known for its dedication to excellence. However, this dedication can come from both harmonious and obsessive passion.

Objectives. This study examines the role HP leadership plays in promoting a healthy work-life balance and facilitating harmonious passion in HP coaches, with the goal of increasing the profession’s appeal to women.

Method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of six participants, including three HP leaders and three HP coaches, representing two different national sport organizations. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze data and present findings.

Results. The findings show that HP leadership can improve work-life balance and facilitate harmonious passion through having a trusting relationship with their coaches, redefining the role of the HP coach, and invest resources in their coaches. These efforts enable coaches to nurture their harmonious passion through investing in interpersonal relationships and accepting sacrifices that come with the job. Work-home interference is a universal challenge affecting all coaches, and efforts to improve this will benefit everyone involved.

Concluding remarks. HP leadership efforts to promote work-life balance will not only benefit female coaches but also improve the sustainability of the HP coaching profession as a whole.