Coaching for executive presence: a descriptive account
Date
2017
Authors
Dunnink, Jacqueline Shekinah
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Abstract
Executive presence is suggested as critical for the success and efficacy of leaders in the complex and uncertain environment of 21st century organisations. This research study offers a formulation and description of the construct of executive presence and establishes the relevant and impactful aspects of coaching for executive presence; hence the study makes a contribution to the development of a theoretical body of knowledge.
Executive presence is an emerging construct and executive coaching is still in a theory building stage (first meta-analysis in 2009). Currently, practitioners in the field of executive presence development and coaching for executive presence are operating in the absence of a solid theoretical foundation, and this may detract from good practice or even impact negatively on the credibility of the coaching profession.
Due to the emergent nature of the construct there is a great deal of meaning that needs to emerge; and so a qualitative phenomenological research method is appropriately utilised in this study.
Based on the evidence-based literature review and research findings a definition for executive presence is suggested as: a highly influential and embodied leader with the capacity to mobilise and lead organisations (and society) from the emerging future through mindful and projected personal power, and the flexibility and openness to operate across the presence continuum.
This study establishes the relevant and impactful aspects of coaching for the development of executive presence. A working definition incorporating the key findings from this research study is:
Coaching for executive presence is a business integrated coaching-on-the-axis phased offering for leadership development, incorporating the use of multiple approaches based on sound theoretical and well-understood methodologies and the requirements of the individual and organisational clients, in order to deliver leadership presence capable of leading from the emerging future for the achievement of the organisational vision.
The development of executive presence through coaching is significant and of value for leaders, organisations, and specific functions mandated with ensuring the leadership capability for business effectiveness, sustainability, success and growth. The research contributes significant value through its contribution to an evidence-based definition and model for both executive presence and coaching for executive presence.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Management in Business Executive Coaching
Johannesburg, 2017
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Citation
Dunnink, Jacqueline Shekinah (2017) Coaching for executive presence: a descriptive account, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, <http://hdl.handle.net/10539/23373>