Abstract
Increased global competition, technological advancements and the rise of the knowledge economy characterise the evolving landscape of modern business. This forces organisations to adopt innovative strategies to remain competitive. The need for organisations to transform places significant pressure on leaders to remain relevant and agile. Leadership coaching plays a crucial role in supporting leaders during the transformation. Leadership coaching provides a collaborative framework where current or aspiring leaders work with a coach to enhance self-awareness and drive lasting change for individuals and the organisation. The main objective of this study was to explore the role of a leadership coaching intervention on senior leaders’ work readiness and effectiveness. The context for this study arises from an organisational capability review initiated in 2022, aimed at restructuring the organisation to better align with strategic opportunities and ensure competitiveness in a rapidly changing environment.
This study employed a qualitative research design. Purposive sampling was utilised, and the study involved a sample of nine employees transitioning from head of department and supervisory to leadership roles within the cash management industry. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, allowing participants to share their experiences and perceptions regarding transitioning into a leadership role. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
The main findings of this study were that participants experienced significant pressure due to the various responsibilities they were expected to manage during the transition into senior roles. In addition, the findings highlighted that a leadership coaching intervention would have been instrumental in facilitating a smoother transition for participants. The researcher developed a leadership coaching intervention. The main recommendation is the implementation of the leadership coaching intervention as a standard practice for the cash management industry to ensure that leaders are adequately equipped to meet the demands of the roles.