The Impact of Coaching Leadership on Protean Career Attitude: Sequential Multiple Mediation Effects of Resilience and Self-Awareness

To respond effectively to the rapidly changing industrial environment, both organizations and employees must develop the capability to flexibly and agilely adjust their jobs and careers. In this regard, this study proposes a protean career attitude, which emphasizes proactive career development based on subjective values. However, research systematically exploring the antecedents of protean career attitudes remains limited. In particular, few studies have identified the specific mechanisms through which various antecedents influence protean career attitudes. This study examines coaching leadership as a key antecedent of protean career attitudes, focusing on its role in supporting employees’ career autonomy by trusting their growth potential and actively fostering their development. Furthermore, the study investigates the mediating effects of two individual competencies, resilience and self-awareness, in the relationship between coaching leadership and protean career attitudes. Additionally, it empirically tests the serial mediation effect of resilience and self-awareness in this relationship. To achieve these research objectives, a survey was conducted among 330 employees from various organizations. The data analysis revealed that coaching leadership positively influences protean career attitudes. Moreover, the mediation effects of resilience and self-awareness were confirmed, and the serial mediation effect of resilience and self-awareness in the relationship between coaching leadership and protean career attitudes was found to be statistically significant. Finally, based on the findings, the study discusses its theoretical and practical implications, outlines its limitations, and suggests directions for future research.