In What Ways Does Coaching Contribute to Effective Leadership Development?

J Simpson International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring 2010

The aim of this paper is to examine the contribution that coaching makes to the development of the quality of leadership in Tribal Group plc. The case study research is based on eight semi-structured interviews of senior leaders and describes how coaching is contributing more to the development of personal qualities, personal skills and behaviours of individual leaders than it is to team building and strategic thinking. Findings suggest that in the case organisation, coaching is making a positive contribution to leadership recruitment and retention, stronger corporate working, the securing of more complex contracts, and better management of risk. Coaching is making a particularly valuable contribution at key career transition points, when leaders face new and/or complex challenges, and when the coach is perceived to have directly relevant professional experience as well as good coaching skills.