SINCE WE ARE, THEREFORE I AM: UBUNTU AND THE EXPERIENCES OF BLACK WOMEN LEADERSHIP COACHES

The unique positionality of Black women leadership coaches was the perspective used in a study to consider how race, gender, and culture influence the leadership development of Black leaders. This idea is reflected in the overarching research question: What can we learn by listening to the relevant experiences of Black women coaches? Interpretive phenomenology and intersectionality served as theoretical lenses for understanding the lived experiences of seven Black women internal and external coaches who had corporate and professional leadership experience. Findings show themes of collectivity, influence, and convergence that were deeply ingrained in the coaches’ leadership coaching practices and connected with the three principles of ubuntu—spirituality, consensus, and dialogue. The study highlights the shared Black experience, and the means in which these coaches navigate the intersections of race and gender in their leadership and coaching practices. We issue a call for research on developing an ubuntu coaching paradigm and continued learning through interconnectedness. More research is needed on Black women leadership coaches and how psychologically safe coaching relationships with other Black leaders might increase career opportunities and leadership acumen. The study contributes to the sparse research on leadership coaches with intersectional identities who use coaching as a developmental strategy to cultivate other Black women leaders.