It's Not Just In Your Head #155: Life Coaching Inc (ft. Ronald Purser)
Sep 25, 2023
Ronald Purser, author of 'McMindfulness' and a management professor, dives into the pitfalls of the life coaching industry. He critiques its reliance on poorly regulated practices and flawed positive psychology. The conversation highlights how the emphasis on self-made success can exacerbate societal isolation and mental health struggles. Purser also discusses the commercial edge of coaching and the ethical dilemmas in its application, particularly in fields like the military, advocating for a more community-focused approach to mental well-being.
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Science And Celebrity As Legitimacy
- BetterUp and similar firms add a veneer of science and celebrity to legitimize coaching inside corporations.
- The 'coach' label makes the service sound innocuous and team-oriented while asserting individual responsibility.
Critique Of Positive Psychology's Roots
- Purser critiques Martin Seligman's positive psychology for dismissing trauma and structural suffering.
- He calls Seligman's stance arrogant and unsuitable for addressing depression with mere gratitude exercises.
Military Use Of Positive Psychology
- Purser recounts Seligman's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program and its aim to train soldiers to reframe trauma positively.
- He notes external studies questioned its evidence base and raises ethical concerns about military uses of positive psychology.
