Black executive business leaders’ strategies and tactics for accelerated development : implications for coaching

M.Phil.Abstract: The complexity of the legacy issues in South Africa heightens the importance of the development of aspiring business leaders to close the perceived gap of representation at the executive level. Whilst notable progress has been made by South African companies in the skilled, technical, professionally qualified, and specialist occupational spheres, the pace of progress is slower in developing black executives, both men and women, for senior executive positions. Transformation should not be viewed as just a compliance requirement, but as a business imperative, which ought to be attended to urgently within the South African context. This study sought to explore the strategies and tactics that successful black executives employed to enhance their leadership journey to the top. The study used a qualitative research approach in the collection of data and interpretation of findings. It used purposive sampling in the selection of six black executive business leaders from various organisations in South Africa. Using semi-structured interviews, the researcher gained insight into the social realities of the participants, particularly their leadership strategies and tactics, by means of open-ended questions, which were augmented with probing questions when necessary. Thematic analysis was utilised to extract and unpack the five main themes and their associated tactics. Key findings showed that there are factors, which either support or hinder the leadership development of black business executives. On the one hand, the factors, which can accelerate the leadership development of black business executives with the associated implications for coaching, are: capitalising on personal leadership qualities, self-determination, leader‒member exchange, and the role of mentors. On the other hand, the factor, which can impede the leadership development of black executives is the inability to optimise a transformation-resistant organisational. There is a need for a practical intervention to support organisations in their pursuit to achieve equitable representation at their executive level. The leadership strategies and tactics identified in the research can be applied to corporate talent management strategies, for several reasons. First, this process will ensure the availability of black business executives for relevant appointments, providing a research-based context that is informed by the leadership theory and inputs from experienced practitioners. Implications for coaching are amplified and their associated tactics can be built into leadership coaching to accelerate leader progress