Overview
This profile examines one client’s complete turnaround – from a self-doubter to a ‘just do it’ type who doesn’t just approach the keynote speaker, but invites him to dinner too!
The context
My client* works in a senior managerial position at a world-famous firm, employing 39,000 people across 50 countries. He is accountable for revenue of circa £580m, and has strategic responsibility for several high-profile products.
The nature of his role means that personal confidence is extremely important, not just in day-to-day interactions with colleagues, but in forming valuable business relationships with high-level individuals.
*The sensitive nature of my work precludes me from giving specific detail about individuals or businesses.
The coaching theme
Throughout his career to date, my client had felt crippled by low self-confidence in group situations involving senior people. While he identified himself as a comfortable, chatty person in everyday life, he found it very difficult to transfer this to occasions such as business networking events and high-level meetings.
He tended to avoid such situations where possible, or stay quiet. He also found it hard to articulate naturally, fluently and with impact. This was very unpleasant for him and was also getting in his way professionally. In order to meet the expectations of his new role and also to preserve his well-being, he knew he had to address this area.
What we did
The executive coaching was split into six two-hour sessions over a six-month period.
Having gained each other’s trust, we identified the coaching goals and the reasons for them. From there, we were able to find a very personalised strategy to help him get back in touch with his full capabilities.
We explored things from a psychological and pragmatic perspective. I helped my client to see more clearly the inner mechanics that were creating the outcomes he didn’t want. We identified his tendency to perpetuate negative feelings about himself, and from there we developed practical ways to prevent these damaging ‘spirals’ from occurring. It was a process of self-awareness and self-discovery that gave him greater agency to create the outcomes he wanted.
The results
My client came away feeling totally liberated from a number of long-held blocks, with a new view of himself, a more positive internal voice and a much more relaxed, ‘go for it’ mentality. A number of very simple techniques and understandings made him feel much more at ease in day-to-day interactions. This also enabled him to be more creative and productive in his work than he had thought possible.
Towards the end of his coaching with me, my client attended a large residential conference, the kind of event that used to conjure up strong anxiety and feelings of self-doubt. His effusive email to me after this very important and sociable business event speaks for itself:
“It was fantastic! By day two I was a different person. So much so that at the end of day two, I approached one of the high-profile keynote speakers from the event on that day and then invited him to join me at dinner – which he accepted.
I also asked the first question following his speech, which I would never have done before in a room full of 100+ people (including many senior business people).
Just a great experience. Thank you so much for playing a part in making this happen. This process has changed my life!”
One year on… My client was established in a new, more senior role, commenting that “the improvements I feel I have made are now embedded as part of who I am and it has let me focus more on making a difference in the business.”
Get in touch
To discuss how Tall Spaghetti coaching could benefit someone in your organisation, call Rachael on 07876 495 968 or get in touch via the quick contact form.