Group coaching for leaders in transition to senior leadership positions
This study explores how group coaching can support leaders in transition to senior leadership positions, and develops a theoretical and practical framework to inform group coaching practice. Leader transitions are not measured, though they may be a factor in leadership failure, as transitions are known to be difficult at senior levels. The preparatory phase of the research triangulated the secondary data and updated understanding of the challenges facing leaders in transition, and how dyadic coaching supported them. This was based on interviews with leaders and coaches, and it guided the development of a group coaching programme. The action phase of the study involved the application and exploration of an online group coaching programme, through two cycles of action research. This was followed by a reflexive thematic analysis of the data. Findings reaffirm how leaders can experience a disorienting and tumultuous period in transition, based on the nature of the roles they step into, the context within which they are leading and the psychological challenges associated with personal transition. Group coaching served to normalise these challenges and resource senior leaders. Outcomes included clarity around what it meant to be a senior leader, how to relate to and engage with others, and how to lead in a senior position. Theoretical contributions to knowledge relate to how group coaching works, through the identification of three sequential steps: co-creating a safe and productive space to work in, offering many relevant inputs into the space, and leaders processing these inputs. Contributions to practical application include a two-part framework which outlines how to establish a group coaching programme and what this involves for the coach. The study also contributes to knowledge about senior leader transitions by updating understanding of the challenges leaders face, clarifying the process of transition, and summarising the basis of the coaching inquiry. Further contributions include how group coaching can support leader and leadership development. This research confirms knowledge that may be obvious to those working and researching in the field of senior leader transitions, groups and coaching. However, it offers novel insight into how group coaching works, the impact of the challenges of contemporary senior leadership, and how leaders coming together for their own development can also develop leadership in organisations.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations