ABSTRACT
This chapter focus on the trust issues that coaches might come up against when using the coaching framework for supporting leaders. In turn, trust issues might involve the need to meet the leader's expectations in relation to understanding the business environment and the dynamics of stakeholder relationships. The chapter addresses the three elements of credibility, integrity and benevolence. It explains how for external coaches often commissioned by organizations to support leaders, the credibility component of trust can come as part of the professional package, through the prior reputation of the coach. Later in the relationship the coach can show benevolence while giving attention to clients when they report on successes and failures and helping by discussing specific obstacles and difficulties. Markovic et al suggest that integrity comes from reliable promises, sharing of valid information, and expressions of honesty. The need for trust and its integral components cannot be overstated within leadership coaching.
