A qualitative, interpretive case study approach was developed to explore the role of coaching and mentoring in supporting the development of academic staff and organisational strategy during a period of organisational change. One of the study findings indicated that coaching and mentoring provided a transitional space to support staff as they worked through the challenges presented by the external expectations placed on them and the internal challenges generated by their feelings about those expectations. The study is unusual in that the participants experienced both coaching and mentoring, and it has been possible to identify the particular role provided by coaching and by mentoring, as well as where they offered support in similar ways.