Self-Determination Theory in Coaching

Written By PETER STANFORD

How often do we do things because we’re told to?

 We do things because our bosses, parents, partners, and even friends and colleagues tell us to. This is called extrinsic motivation. It doesn’t mean we have zero say or influence over what gets done, but we do it for reasons not wholly within our control. Within the discussion of self-determination theory (SDT), considerable empirical research supports the importance of intrinsic motivation and how we move towards that (Deci & Ryan, 1985, 1991; Ryan, 1995). This has been extended and enhanced by the literature in Ryan & Deci (2018).

For people to have a growth mindset, i.e. those who believe their talents can be developed through input from others, good strategies, and hard work, to support their move from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation, they need the attributes of competence (Harter, 1978; White, 1963), relatedness (Baumeister & Leary, 1995; Reis, 1994), and autonomy (deCharms, 1968; Deci, 1975).

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PETER STANFORD

Peter is a seasoned coach and mentor with over 35 years of experience in guiding businesses towards success. With his extensive knowledge and expertise, he's been transforming organizations for more than half of his impressive 55-year career. Benefit from Peter's extensive knowledge and expertise as he shares invaluable insights accumulated throughout his journey.

https://www.mentormeaus.com
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