CASE STUDIES

High Potential Exceptional Employee on First Executive Position

We started working together to help build leadership skill and confidence in her new role, how to influence and manage relationships effectively at the executive level, how to earn a place at the table, how to make her mark, and how to not lose focus on other important aspects of her life.

We examined her values and how to remain in alignment with them, how to focus on the business case vs. personalizing things and making assumptions, how to create win/win solutions while standing firm on key principles, how to add value at the strategic level, and how to set herself up for her next move to SVP should she choose to go for it.

I worked with her for over two years as a confidential thinking partner as issues arose. She is considered an exceptional executive with potential to move higher.

High Performer Managing a Reputation Tarnished by Negative Perception of Interpersonal Skills

This situation has appeared more than once in my work. A high performer had acquired a reputation of disaffecting others. She wanted to restore her status, find a role that interested her and would allow her to use new approaches with new people, and become reengaged at work.

We worked to increase her awareness around some of her Emotional Intelligence competencies. With the help of some self-assessments I provided, we examined her behaviors and the impact she was having and what encouraged her to choose to default to these behaviors and in what particular situations. We examined different options for her to experiment with and test for results. As well, I gave her a methodology for having difficult conversations and for improving the process side of communications, either one-on-one or in a group setting.

Results included: increased skill and confidence; though not part of her accountabilities, she attracted new clients leading to increased sales; an exceptional performance rating and a good bonus; reengagement of a highly skilled employee; an increase in her self-respect as she was able to find ways to meet her needs and the needs of the business without being out of alignment with her values.

Acquisition of Company Leading to Job Elimination - Next Steps

This client had to decide what to do next - remain at the new firm or follow a dream and build her own business. Coaching helped her identify her strategic business and life vision, mission, goals, strategies and tactical plans. She was able to restore her confidence, get clear, shift her perspective and go for it. Results included the establishment of her own successful company, demand for her services and an increase in income, all on her terms.

Leader of a Not-for-Profit Looking to Become More Effective

One of my clients was the leader of a small organization that was poised for growth. The Board was asking him to step up to a higher level of performance. My client is highly focused on delivering value to his constituents, skilled at creating positive relationships with staff and others, and deeply caring.

Together we discussed the difference between leadership and management and the unique skills required for both. We explored how his behaviors helped or hindered performance. We clearly articulated why his business exists and how it aligned with his personal mission. As a result, he created in collaboration with his direct reports a vision that inspired, agreed on standards of behavior to ensure the kind of culture they wanted, put in good management process like defining accountabilities, effective performance management, getting the most out of meetings, and a process for program reviews.

Through increasing his managerial leadership skills and guiding the process of greater self-awareness and self-management, the organization expanded and the team is working together with renewed energy.

Retention of Key Employee During Change

One of the companies I worked with underwent a significant reorganization that led to the elimination of a job held by a high potential, key employee. The challenge for the company was to retain this person and keep him engaged until the dust settled. Coaching was a visible high impact investment in this individual. This opportunity underscored to him that he was a valuable employee. At the same time, the coaching built his skill in managing change and organization design and how to be a leader in that context. He actually ended up involved in the project at the head office level.

Coach-in-Training Looking to Build Skill and Business

Through modeling quality coaching skill and at the same time providing business building coaching and advice, the client is now professional certified and almost from the get go had established her practice as a going concern. Coaching enabled her to identify and methodically pursue possibilities that she did not see existed. She was able to land a contract that led to one-on-one and team coaching, coach-on-call, and training opportunities.

Desire to Live a Life More by Design and Less by Default

My client came to me wanting to stop going around in circles, get clear, and get into action on whatever became her objectives. She no longer found meaning at work and felt that her career had chosen her rather than the other way around. We were quickly able to get at the root of what was "true" for her, articulate her life purpose, where to find and how to create meaning in her work, and get into practical action to ensure successful follow through.

Testimonials

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