I'M A LEADER! NOW WHAT!? A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF NOVICE LEADERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF A THEORY-INFORMED EXECUTIVE COACHING PROCESS

Abstract

The transition into leadership is a critical phase for novice leaders, yet limited research explores how they interpret the support offered during this formative period. While executive coaching is traditionally associated with seasoned professionals, this study examines its potential value when intentionally designed to aid first-time leaders in navigating identity shifts, relational complexity, and organizational culture. Given that nearly 40% of novice leaders exit their roles within 18 months due to adaptation and alignment challenges, understanding how coaching is experienced during this vulnerable period is vital.This study explores how novice leaders perceive a theory-informed executive coaching process grounded in Emotional Intelligence and Self-Determination Theory. Through a qualitative case study approach across four industries, participants engaged in structured coaching while reflecting on their leadership journey through journals and interviews. Findings reveal that coaching enhanced participants' emotional awareness, motivation, and self-perception, contributing to increased clarity, confidence, and alignment with the leadership role. Participants described coaching as a pivotal developmental space that helped them process uncertainty, manage relational dynamics, and build leadership identity. Rather than focusing on outcomes alone, this study centers on leaders’ lived experiences. These findings contribute to leadership development literature and offer practical insights into how coaching interventions, when grounded in theory, can support novice leaders during a high-risk period of transition.