Executive coaching: A strategic tool for retaining talent and bridging the senior–middle leadership gap

Abstract

Orientation: This study explored how executive coaching can strengthen emotionally intelligent leadership behaviours and improve collaboration between senior and middle-level leaders in a South African engineering organisation navigating the disruptions of COVID-19 and the Fifth Industrial Revolution.
Research purpose: This study explored whether executive coaching could bridge the gap between senior and middle leadership while also supporting retention.
Motivation for the study: The organisation faced increasing difficulties in retaining leadership talent and ensuring effective knowledge transfer between generations. This research sought to contribute insights into how coaching can be leveraged to sustain leadership excellence amidst ongoing global disruptions.
Research approach/design and method: A qualitative exploratory design was used, employing participatory action research (PAR) within a single case study. Data were generated through interviews, focus groups, and observations and analysed thematically using NVivo (Lumivero, Burlington, MA, US).
Main findings: Themes emerged: (1) Emotional Awareness and Awareness of Others, (2) Intergenerational Communication and (3) Impact of Coaching. These were derived inductively from participant data and validated through triangulation across interviews, focus groups and observations. The findings indicated that coaching improved emotional intelligence (EI) competencies, leadership relationships and succession readiness. The study enabled the development of a tailored coaching model specific to the organisation.
Practical/managerial implications: A structured coaching framework focused on EI, mentoring, and team coaching can strengthen leadership continuity and enhance talent retention in multigenerational environments.
Contribution: This study contributes empirical evidence demonstrating how EI coaching interventions can improve leadership cohesion and retention within a technical engineering environment.