CEO - leadership and personnel challenges
Situation
The CEO wanted to reduce the high turnover of personnel, which was costly to the company in term of recruitment and development cost. To assist her in rectifying this problem, she employed the service of Brilliance Coaching.
Approach
The coach observed how she interacted with her other employees and gave her feedback on her leadership and management style. Through coaching, the CEO came to recognise the value of open dialogue with her employees and learned how to have the critical conversations with her staff. The coach also helped her to identify the kind of leader she aspired to be; together they developed a pragmatic program for her to practise and get the feedback needed to become a more persuasive and effective leader. Last but not least, she received coaching and inputs on how to enhance the firm’s capability in assessing recruits and rewarding performance.
Results
As a result, the CEO became an approachable, persuasive and highly effective leader. The employees now fully support her as a leader, the morale of the company has improved noticeably and the turnover of firm-wide personnel is reduced. The firm has also developed a standardised and scientific approach for recruitment, assessment and performance management. As a bonus, her relationship with her son is transformed as she added coaching to her parenting repertoire.
Senior finance manager – assertiveness, career transition and raising the game
After leaving a blue chip company she had worked for 12 years, a senior finance manager wanted to get clarity on her future career aspirations and receive ongoing support through the recruitment process. She also realised she needed to learn how to communicate assertively and effectively in her professional life and hired Michelle as her coach.
Through a series of conversations and exercises, she identified what was important to her in her professional life. Armed with insights and through role plays, she also learned to stand up for her opinions and mastered the ways to communicate them effectively. In addition, Michelle coached her in her preparation for interviews and helped her to discover the unique values she brought to prospective employers. Within 2 weeks, she was offered and accepted a more senior leadership role than her previous position. The company remarked that she stood out from other candidates with her ability to stand firm with her views, a prized quality as they were dealing with aggressive venture capitalists.
The client was the number two in the new company and realised she needed to raise the level of her game and think more strategically. She retained Michelle as her coach and they redefined and re-contracted the coaching goals to help her to excel in her new role. The coaching enabled her to clarify and prioritise broader business issues and manage difficult subordinates effectively. As a result of the coaching, she has become a confident leader who communicates with gravitas and traction and deals with business and management challenges successfully; her excellent contribution acknowledged and deeply appreciated by her employer.
Senior manager - management issues and personal impact
Situation
A specialist was newly promoted with a greater managerial responsibility, and wanted to improve her ability to manage upwards and downwards as well as enhance her credibility and visibility. Realising that there was no training programme tailored to all her needs, she decided to engage in a coaching programme.
Approach
During the initial meeting, the coach and she specified the challenges she faced and agreed a clear set of performance and development goals. Over subsequent meetings, they worked on specific cases she experienced at work, identified the root causes and ways to overcome them. Hence, she could continuously apply, practise and refine what she learned from the coaching.
Results
As a result of the coaching, she has become a self-confident leader who moves her team forward powerfully. Through raising her profiles in meetings and with senior executives, she has strategically enhanced her visibility and credibility and taken control of her career in the firm.
Vice President - working relationship
Situation
A Vice President of a major bank found her work environment and working relationship with her superior increasingly difficult and decided to engage a coach.
Approach
The coach and the VP clarified the coaching objectives at the outset and explored the situation. With skilled listening and questioning from the coach, they got to the heart of the matter and generated clear insights, which propelled the client into letting go of inner struggles and taking actions.
Result
As a result of the coaching, the client enjoyed a significantly improved working relationship with her superior and her team. Her performance improved; she felt at ease and enjoyed her work more. She regained clarity and motivation in her career, took actions to advance her career and is now involved in a number of high profile deals.
Director - marketing strategy, work/life balance
Situation
A Director of a consulting company wanted to grow his business. At the same time, he felt severely challenged on his work/life balance, working 6 to 7 days a week, and sometimes late into the evenings. Hence, he engaged a coach to find solutions that would meet both objectives.
Approach
Through coaching, he explored different aspects of his market and competitve position and realised that increasing his pricing may be the best way to solve the conumdrum. The coach then successfully helped him to overcome his resistance and fear to raising prices.
Results
As a result of coaching, the client implemented a new pricing strategy, resulting in a 10% revenue increase in 3 months. He also had time to exercise regularly, which he thoroughly enjoyed and noticeably improved his well-being.