The Problem The interdisciplinary nature of the theoretical base of coaching creates practical approaches that are strongly influenced by organization-friendly theories, and fields such as counseling, psychotherapy, and philosophy. This eclectic use of theory creates uncertainty and sometimes leads to criticisms of coaching as being atheoretical and underdeveloped empirically. So, it is a difficult task for human resource development (HRD) professionals and particularly buyers of coaching to judge the relevance of numerous traditions of coaching and evaluate them for their HRD agenda. The Solution We highlight the theoretical foundations of coaching and develop a structural analysis of coaching engagement to indicate the potential interplay between organizational and individual agendas and to help HRD professionals become better informed about the value of coaching in the context of wider HRD paradigms. The Stakeholders HRD professionals, external coaches, internal coaches, and line managers who use a coaching approach, peer coaches, and leaders will benefit from the content of this article.

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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of the latest developments in the field of corporate coaching and mentoring.Design/methodology/approachProvides a viewpoint on the coaching and mentoring field drawing on research from Europe and the US.FindingsStructured or supported coaching and mentoring within organisations is evolving rapidly and research is at last beginning to provide valuable insights into effective practices. Some strongly‐held assumptions are being challenged along the way. Greater definitional clarity, within specific contexts, contributes to efficacy. Increasing professionalisation with the coaching and mentoring sector is being helped by dialogue between the various bodies representing coaches and mentors and by the spread of supervision.Originality/valueThe article provides a succinct overview of the current position of the corporate coaching and mentoring arena and offers insights into how the field will develop in the future.