The perceptions of South African executive coaches on the role of cultural intelligence in cross-cultural executive coaching

Abstract

The South African environment is markedly diverse and multicultural in character. Cultural Intelligence is a capability that allows an individual to function effectively across cultures in multicultural societies. More and more South African organisations are turning to executive coaching as a strategy to boost their leadership capabilities. This study explored South African executive coaches’ understanding of Cultural Intelligence and their experiences of the concept in cross-cultural executive coaching in the South African context. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposefully selected black and white executive coaches to gain in-depth insights on executive coaches’ understanding of Cultural Intelligence in cross-cultural coaching and how executive coaches in South Africa are using Cultural Intelligence to navigate cultural differences between themselves and coachees. Data generated from the interviews was transcribed, thematically analysed and seven themes emerged. Research findings demonstrated that South African executive coaches understand the anatomy of Cultural Intelligence in coaching to be made up of four constructs: coach’s cultural awareness, coach’s intercultural knowledge, coach’s curiosity, interest and openness to learning other cultures and coach’s appropriate behaviour. South African executive coaches are using these four constructs when engaging with coachees from other cultures to themselves. Research findings also revealed that the coach’s Cultural Intelligence enhances coaching efficacy in cross-cultural coaching as a result of three attributes: Coach’s willingness to challenge own assumptions and worldview, coach’s awareness of coachee’s norms and values and the coach heeding culture as an enabler to connect effectively with the coachee. Racial diversity in South African organisations presents a unique opportunity for executive coaches with high Cultural Intelligence to coach more effectively in cross-cultural coaching engagements and positively contribute to the on-going transformation process in the South African workplace