The Influence of Technostress on Coaching via Computer-Mediated Communication

Abstract: Coaching stems from the relationships built between the coach and coachee. The relationships are shown to be grounded in trust in which communication was founded as the critical component of coaches. However, the modes of communication have migrated in large part to not just face-to-face communication but computer-mediated communication as well. Fully understanding the implications of computer-mediated communication and its lack of non-verbal cues will assist in improving communication between the two parties. Online communication has shown to create certain stress factors due to the inundation of information received beyond what one can reasonably absorb. As a result, one can enter an anxious state that is defined by fear. The fear stems from one being overwhelmed by the vast data that can neither be organized or controlled. Coaches will benefit from understanding how technostress factors can influence their coaching techniques via computer-mediated communication.