Situation

A pharmaceutical sales representative came to coaching to explore her ambition at work, and what might be the cause of her impatience, and the sense that the world around her wasn't moving fast enough to keep her engaged. Although considered a high potential, outstanding performer, she felt she was being overlooked for an important promotion, having received vague feedback about "being too impatient." During our six month coaching engagement we uncovered several patterns, including a dominating habit of speaking that others perceived as arrogant and judgmental, but which she viewed as honest and accurate.

Sample outcome (one of four)

• Slowing down the pace of conversations without losing traction or ambition

Sample Program Elements

• Read the book, Difficult Conversations.
• Observe a habit of pushing in conversations and its impact on relationships and outcomes.
• Practice listening for the truth and validity of others' views, especially when they compete with your own.
•  Practice taking risks in conversations by balancing the need to make things happen with the desire to explore possibilities and deepen relationship.

Results

Susan learned to adjust her speaking to include more inquiring, a slower pace, more yielding and a practice of "looking for the third story," in conflict situations. As this occurred, she began to relax at work, decline assignments from her manager that overwhelmed her and explore deeper conversations with her employees, peers and the manager with whom she felt competitive. At the conclusion of our work together, her interpersonal work conflicts had quieted down and she had received the promotion she'd aspired to. She was enjoying work, and was learning the counter-intuitive value of "slowing down" to go faster.

Situation

Dave is a successful consultant who facilitates international projects for a consortium of national enterprises, all of whom have competing interests as well as some shared goals. With the company's history of  hidden agendas and unspoken conflicts, Dave knew he needed to find a way to cut through to the truth of these competing interests, but his own self-effacing, conflict-averse personality was making this a big challenge.

Sample Outcome (one of four)

• Develop a grounded, strong, alive presence and the increased capacity to withstand turbulence from within and without.

Sample Program Strategies

• Observe patterns and habits of feeling strong and grounded, and situations that bring feelings of weakness and lack of energy.
• Experiment with body stances that contribute to feelings of strength and stability.
• Identify and practice a core set of techniques to maintain presence before and during difficult conversations.
• Cultivate strength and aliveness through a regular practice of Aikido. 

Results

Dave is enjoying his work much more fully, and has been able to cut through to the truth in many situations at work. He's received feedback from others that his tactful methods have indeed helped others to share information and points of view crucial to the overall success of the efforts they are all seeking.