HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH TOM?

As I walked past my executive client' office, Tom, he stood up abruptly and motioned me into his office.  Seems that Susan, his star staff manager had put pressure on one of her employees who then came in to talk with Tom.

"Alan, would you mind accompanying me to talk with Susan?"

So I did. As soon as Tom laid on table the situation, Susan started a lengthy speech about why she was justified in handling her employee the way she did...but missed the point Tom has made about motivating the employee vs. criticizing them.

Susan got louder and louder, interrupting Tom and holding on to her position for 10 minutes. Tom gave up and decided to approach Susan at a later date.

The good news: an executive faces conflict head on.

The bad news: my last 200 clients all avoid conflict that is disruptive to the organization [except 4].

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN COACHING TOM AFTER HE WALKED OUT OF SUSAN'S OFFICE?

BOARD RELATIONSHIPS

I just came out of a meeting with a CEO who resigned after two years, having made significant inroads in lowering debt, growing revenue and building a strategy for even greater growth in 2014.

He outlined to me in great depth how he struggled with getting the board to advocate for him, to listen to his ideas and support his initiatives.

I have worked with Bob for three years, observing his high energy and probably too much passion for his ideas. But I also heard: "It is the Board's fault..."

He was not focused in getting to know his board members, what their strong suits and passions are, what their expectations are in their board role, etc.

What he needed was a mirror to identify how he is perceived...as all CEO's need. With this knowledge he could have found better ways to genuinely connect with board members and be understood.

We all can benefit from being more aware of how we are perceived.

 

" Read" others on how they are reacting to your suggestions, ideas and challenges. Better yet, ask your management or board, how you can better play in the same sandbox.

It is important to your effectiveness and perhaps your career!