As Africa continues its socio-economic transformation journey, a leadership shift is critical. Known as leadershift, this evolution calls for a new kind of leader — one who is agile, emotionally intelligent, and committed to empowering others.
Coaching, long seen as a tool for personal development, is now emerging as a strategic advantage for CEOs navigating complex organizational landscapes. It is not just about personal growth but about preparing organizations and the African continent for a more resilient, inclusive future.
Against this backdrop, the Strathmore University Business School, in partnership with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), hosted the International Coaching Week (ICW), bringing together CEOs, HR leaders, and executive coaches to explore how coaching can fuel Africa’s leadership potential. The summit, themed: “Coaching Africa for African Transformation: 20 Years of Developing African Leaders” emphasized that CEOs must be more than decision-makers — they must be leadership multipliers.
Speaking during the event, ICF-certified coach, Dr. David Thuku outlined three vital areas for CEOs to focus on:
Adopt a coaching mindset that helps cultivate curiosity, presence, and a commitment to people-first leadership.
Embed coaching in the organization, ensuring that coaching is not a one-off intervention but a core part of talent and leadership development.
Create a conducive environment where employees feel safe to ask questions, innovate, and grow.
These principles, Dr. Thuku noted, can help organizations become more adaptive and engaged, setting the stage for long-term transformation.
In his keynote, Martin Oduor expounded on the ICF’s eight core competencies that every CEO should consider:
Ethical practice by ensuring that their decisions are grounded in integrity.
Adopt a coaching mindset by being open, curious, and client-centered.
Creating trust and safety in the organization by fostering cultures of psychological safety.
Presence – being fully attentive in interactions.
Active listening – hearing not just words but meaning and intent.
Evoking awareness – helping teams uncover new insights.
Facilitating growth – driving both individual and organizational advancement.
These competencies are not exclusive to professional coaches; they are essential leadership tools. CEOs equipped with coaching skills can unlock innovation, navigate uncertainty, and build cohesive, high-performing teams.
Ultimately, the summit delivered a clear message: We are responsible for our future. Coaching must be woven into the fabric of leadership if Africa is to rise to its full potential. CEOs must not only lead but multiply leaders — and coaching is the catalyst to make that happen.
Strathmore University Business School’s executive coaching Programmes are designed to empower leaders with transformative coaching skills that drive both personal and organizational growth. Rooted in global best practices and aligned with International Coaching Federation (ICF) standards, the Programmes go beyond theory, offering immersive, practical experiences that enable executives to lead with empathy, clarity, and strategic intent. Whether you’re a senior leader seeking to enhance team performance, a manager navigating change, or a professional aspiring to become a certified coach, our Programmes will equip you with coaching skills to cultivate a coaching culture within your organization — one that fosters trust, inspires innovation, and delivers measurable impact across teams. Learn about our Executive Coaching Programmes here.
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