Does Information Cause Transformation?
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I’ve been thinking about the reason I enjoy executive coaching so much. Yes, I enjoy watching people move forward in their careers. Yes, it’s humbling to know I’ve made a difference in how people think or behave — habits they learn to change. But above all these things — my love for coaching comes from seeing someone do something that is transformational.

Here’s a recent example. I’ve changed the name to protect the innocent, as they say.

Bill was a middle manager in a Fortune 100 company who was burned out, frustrated at what wasn’t happening that he thought should be happening, and ready to give up a good paying job. His complaints were partially well founded. Bill’s boss did not agree that he was ready for a new role. He had sought a promotion and was turned down. “You have not demonstrated that you are ready to manage a larger part of our organization,” he was told.

Add to that Bill was bored with what seemed mundane work and mindless tasks that were below his level of skills. Why didn’t people recognize his worth, he wondered?

Part of being a skilled coach is to practice deep listening — hearing not only the words, but the words behind the words. I’ve been trained to do just that, so after a few coaching sessions it became clear that Bill was looking at all the things he felt were wrong while being blinded to those things that could be right. We began seeking what he could do to show his personal brand attributes in a way that demonstrated strong leadership capabilities.

Here’s the outcome of what followed. Bill saw what parts (although some were small parts) of his job brought him pleasure and used his strengths. He found ways to do more of those things and spend less time on areas where he struggled. With those struggling areas, Bill was able to delegate to people who had greater skills where he was weak. Low and behold, people began to recognize Bill’s skills that brought more successes for the team. He was given projects where he could use those skills — time after time, he delivered above and beyond expectations.

Now Bill is more engaged with his work and with his team. He is more fulfilled in his role. He upped his game by taking risks with new activities that others were not willing to take on.

After a year of coaching, Bill took all the information from our sessions, all the tools that were shared, and went from a state of learning to a state of transforming – his role and his career. Last we spoke, Bill had been offered a promotion.

What are you saying to yourself that may be keeping you from seeing possibilities? Positive self-talk matters. Finding your brand attributes that bring more success is important. Keeping your skills current is mandatory. Remember— as William Arruda says, “Personal Branding is evolutionary, not just revolutionary.”