Overview
When I first met this client*, it was well-recognised that he had strong vocational competence, but his approach was not agile, particularly in interactions and presentations. After careful exploration of his mindset and behaviour, he discovered how some of his established patterns were getting in his way. The result: a more flexible and powerfully natural working style, greater credibility and the big promotion he wanted.
*The confidential nature of my work precludes me from giving specific detail about individuals or businesses.
The context
My client works for one of the world’s top legal outsourcing firms. A good team motivator, he worked in a senior capacity managing 104 people and successfully delivering a gross profit of £8.4m per annum. Yet there was work to be done on his profile amongst key senior stakeholders if he was to be considered for the promotion that his technical knowledge and experience warranted. Moreover, a shift in style would enable him to work more to his personal strengths, rather than trying to fit a particular mould.
The coaching theme
Despite his naturally strong management abilities in many areas, my client found himself struggling against his own limiting perceptions and tendency to revert to the same working methods time after time. He compared himself unfavourably to others, lacked the courage to use his intuition and take the initiative, and failed to engage with seniors confidently, even though he had considerable vocational competence. Consequently, bigger and broader opportunities (which he was keen for) were, at that stage, out of his reach.
What we did
My role was to help my client look at his style. I helped him find new, authentic ways to lead and influence the people around him, really building on and drawing out his key strengths. We explored how a fear of being challenged could lead him to hold back in his opinions and actions. He learned how to take a step back from negative thoughts about himself, seeing them for what they were (thoughts, not facts). This created the opening for new perspectives about himself and others, and his thoughts no longer hijacked his confidence.
The results
Two years before the executive coaching, my client’s boss had felt there was an issue surrounding potential future promotion due to his lack of personal gravitas. The coaching helped him address that. Today, my client has built up valuable relationships and networks with senior executives, frequently persuading them to buy into his ideas and opinions. He does this in his unique way. He faces questions and challenges calmly, recognising that we do not always ‘know’ and that’s ok. He no longer fears unknown quantities and has found a much more intuitive working style. He is more adaptable, composed and influential. Now in his more senior role, with a team of 300, making a gross profit of £175m, his hard work is bringing tangible business results.
“I really enjoyed being introduced to different theories, tools and techniques and I was given licence to apply my ‘own stamp’, so that I could tailor the coaching to my own individual needs,” he says on his feedback form. “The atmosphere and tone was relaxed, which helped nurture an environment where Rachael and I could challenge each other. I achieved my goal of conveying credibility to a point where I was promoted into a more senior position – Rachael and her coaching methodology played a huge part in this.”
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.