Abstract

Coaching in India is an emerging practice that bridges traditional cultural values with modern organizational demands. This paper explores the unique challenges and opportunities faced by internal coaches operating within organizations, focusing particularly on role duality and ethical dilemmas influenced by cultural constructs such as dharma. Dharma, a foundational concept in Indian thought signifying duty, righteousness, and the inherent order of things, offers a crucial lens for understanding ethical navigation in coaching. This paper unpacks the concept of dharma and examines its application to coaching ethics, particularly concerning the distinctions between internal and external coaching roles within the Indian context. It highlights the critical need for clearly defined roles, specialized training informed by cultural nuances, and robust ethical guidelines to enhance the effectiveness and integrity of internal coaching, especially considering India's high-power distance culture and the growing emphasis on democratized coaching practices. By addressing these complexities, this paper aims to refine internal coaching frameworks and contribute to the global discourse, emphasizing the importance of cultural and ethical considerations in advancing the practice.