Examining coaching as a talent management practice through the lens of the psychological contract

Mangion-Thornley, Karine

Abstract

Coaching is widely deployed in organisations for talent management purposes. Despite being identified as one of the most effective talent management practices, few empirical studies have examined the perceived role of talent coaching at both individual and organisational levels. This single case study provides a contextualised analysis of the role of coaching in four talent management programmes in a global bank. Using the psychological contract as a theoretical lens and based on 30 semi-structured interviews collected from talented employees, HR managers and coaches, this qualitative study argues that talent coaching may play multiple roles at micro and meso levels. Specifically, the findings reveal that: (a) talent coaching plays a significant role in developing the human and social capital of talented employees; (b) it enacts the talent status; (c) it can be used as a catalyst for leadership change and move the organisation towards a desired coaching culture; (d) it may support a natural selection process to segment the leadership pipeline and identify a talent elite group; (e) talent coaches may act as contract-makers to strengthen the psychological contract of talented employees. The implications for HR managers, coaches, and coaching trainers and supervisors are discussed. Recommendations for future research on the role of line managers coaching talented employees and the negative effects of talent management and coaching in organisations are included.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: 10th EIASM Talent Management Workshop
• Start Date: Oct 4, 2021
• End Date: Oct 5, 2021
• Deposit Date: Oct 21, 2021
• Keywords: Coaching, Talent Management, Banking Sector, Psychological Contract
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7952939
• Publisher URL: https://www.eiasm.org/frontoffice/event_announcement.asp?event_id=1455