Abstract
Our research examines the impact of leadership coaching for deans at a South African public university, addressing the increasing complexity and societal demands on higher education. This study evaluates how coaching influences deans' roles and effectiveness. Through semi-structured interviews with eight deans, we identified six key themes: transformational leadership, organisational culture, relationship management, research promotion, operational systems, and institutional support. The findings indicate that coaching significantly enhances deans' strategic thinking, relationship management, and reflective learning. It helps them balance strategic and operational responsibilities, foster positive organisational cultures, manage complex relationships, and promote transformational leadership. The study highlights the necessity for comprehensive leadership development programmes incorporating coaching, mentorship, and ongoing support, focusing on strategic leadership, relationship management, operational efficiency, and positive organisational cultures. Enhanced induction and continuous improvement practices are recommended for newly appointed deans. Acknowledging limitations such as the small sample size and reliance on self-reported data, future studies should consider broader, more diverse samples and mixed-method approaches to validate these findings. Despite these limitations, our study offers valuable insights into the role of leadership coaching in enhancing the effectiveness of academic leaders, providing a framework for supporting deans in navigating higher education leadership complexities. Implementing these strategies can better equip university deans to lead effectively, fostering thriving academic environments that meet contemporary challenges and expectations.