Executive Coaching - A Guide For The HR Professional.pdf
Executive Coaching - A Guide For The HR Professional.pdf
Executive Coaching - A Guide For The HR Professional.pdf
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David’s Story 139<br />
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decision. <strong>For</strong> example, when I needed to create an organizational<br />
structure for a newly formed business unit, I had some difficult people<br />
issues, such as which of two peers would become the other’s boss.<br />
My coach did not suggest who should get what job; he simply helped<br />
me ask and answer the questions that led to me not just making a<br />
decision, but being comfortable enough with the decision that I was<br />
able to sell it well internally. Over time, this process became ingrained<br />
in me and I learned, to some extent, to ask myself those same types<br />
of questions.<br />
One of the great benefits the relationship brought to me was simply<br />
having someone to talk to about certain sensitive issues that I<br />
could discuss with few if any people within my company. At the same<br />
time I was beginning the relationship with my coach, my long-time<br />
boss was in a tough situation and I did not get to speak to him very<br />
often. Having a coach gave me someone I could bounce things off<br />
of, who could understand the issues within the company, and could<br />
understand where I was coming from and help me see my options<br />
and plan a course of action.<br />
My coach was particularly helpful with what I call the “Am I<br />
crazy?” questions. I think we all face situations that, for one reason<br />
or another, don’t make sense. Whether it is the actions of others, the<br />
inability to get what seems like an appropriate project or course of<br />
action approved by the CEO, et cetera. Typically these are the situations<br />
you can only bounce off your own team, who would usually<br />
agree with you. When you are on your own, you question your thinking<br />
and decision making; “Am I crazy?” Having my coach to help me<br />
analyze these situations was invaluable, whether he gave me a plausible<br />
explanation that I had not thought of or simply said, “No, you<br />
are not crazy. This does not make sense.” Getting this feedback from<br />
someone I respected, who understood the people and issues I was<br />
involved with, and who had credibility as a businessperson gave me<br />
tremendous comfort.<br />
My relationship with my coach developed over time into one that<br />
was very comfortable and casual. We developed two main patterns
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