TWO EXAMPLES FROM MY COACHING PRACTICE
Coachee: Head of department of a software development team
“I have a time management issue. It bugs me so much that I hardly get to work because I have meetings all the time. I want to change that! I want more time to work in a focused way!“
Okay, let’s take today. What meetings are coming up?
Two coordination meetings with product management.
You just told me that your developers work independently on the projects. Why are you involved?
If there are any problems.
What kind?
Not in terms of content. In case product management once again beats the drum too hard and puts on pressure
That is, your role in the meeting is what?
I support my team if it is necessary to … (gets to thinking).
What would happen if you weren’t in the meetings?
We end up with “Letting go of control“, “Empowering the team“, “Risk consideration“, “Role clarity and collaboration with product management“.
Coachee: Head of department in a food company.
“I have an offer from a food-related startup. It appeals to me, but I don’t know whether I should take the risk. At my current employer, I can relax and climb the career ladder. I get a lot of positive feedback. I just don’t know. My mind is going in circles.“
After it is clear that she has already extensively weighed all the facts, we put her questioning aside for now and give her intuitive knowledge more space.
“Have you had a dream recently?“
She doesn’t even have to think and spontaneously says: “Yes, l ride … laughing and whistling … in a hoodie – and I don’t have one of those – a bike in Berlin. That’s also where the start-up is, by the way …“
In “playing“ with the dream, it becomes clear that she wants to have the experience in this start-up – regardless of all rational reasons, she wants to live her adventurous side more, laughing and whistling. But the desire for security and stability gets in the way. We continue to work on that. The following week, she negotiates the new employment contract … with supplementary elements on the aspect of security. And sets off on her way.