Challenge
After a high-performing scientist was internally promoted into a global role, he found himself to be a reluctant communicator, as he was hesitant to share his thoughts if they were not fully researched or validated. He knew he needed to adjust his technical communication style if he was going to be able to effectively engage his commercially focussed and globally dispersed stakeholders. His employer approached us to help him accelerate his development as a business leader.
Solution
The coaching began with us meeting the coachee and two of his managers in order to establish and align on the high level programme objectives and success criteria. Next, we conducted a Hogan personality assessment, as well as a series of stakeholder interviews. The data from these assessments enabled us to share with our coachee a very comprehensive picture of his strengths and areas for growth. This was the first time he had received 360 degree feedback and the information was transformational for him. Once he had been debriefed on his Hogan and the 360 degree feedback, coach and coachee co-created detailed goals and action plans in response to the overall programme objectives, and then the coaching sessions commenced.
Results
Over the course of the next year, the coachee made significant changes to his communication style, focussing on engaging more effectively with his non technical colleagues and senior management. By the time his coaching programme came to an end, he had adjusted his highly technical communication style, and his ability to influence and collaborate with his commercial colleagues had greatly improved. This gave him the confidence to start to explore his next career step within the business.
