Executive Coaching Case Studies

Facilitating Leadership Development Through Executive Coaching

A senior leader – let’s call him Tom – had received some challenging feedback about the impact of his behaviour on others. Sarah worked with Tom to support him in increasing his self-awareness and understanding of how his intention and impact may not always be aligned.

We began with a coach facilitated 360-degree feedback with some of his key stakeholders, which involved several one-to-one conversations between me and each stakeholder exploring when Tom is at his best and identifying opportunities for development. I chose to supplement this information with the Hogan Development Survey to help illuminate what is called the ‘dark side’ of his personality – those qualities that emerge in times of increased pressure and strain. The Hogan Development Survey is a personality assessment that measures reputation, which of course is what success in the workplace depends upon. The survey comprises the bright side of personality which reflects you at your best, the dark side of personality, which highlights performance risks and the inside of personality, which refers
to goals, values and motivational drivers.

Taken together, these two interventions served as a mirror, reflecting to Tom how other people experience his leadership style. Although it wasn’t always easy for him to acknowledge, Tom gradually started to understand how his own perception of his intentions in a given situation was not always received in that way by others. This learning was facilitated by the coaching relationship we co-created over the time we worked together. The trust and safety that we built enabled me as his coach to offer challenge, but also support as he explored and reflected on the insights that emerged.

This approach can be immensely valuable to all leaders seeking to increase their self-
awareness and their personal impact as a leader. It can also be a useful approach when inclusive leadership is important to an organisation. Inclusive Leadership is about curiosity and having the courage to be vulnerable and this starts with looking at our own behaviours, biases, and possible blind spots.

If you’d like to find out more, please get in touch.