An executive in a top 10 pharma company was promoted to lead a 200 person team. Having been an outstanding performer, she was struggling to release herself from the details and operate at a higher level of leadership. This had an impact on her relationship with her manager, her ability to make critical decisions regarding her team, her reputation as a leader, and her overall well-being. Once she recognized some unhelpful assumptions and identified a few critical shifts in how she approached her role, she began to notice an immediate difference.
Here is how she describes the impact of coaching:
I really enjoyed the experience of coaching. I had aha moments every session. I took the feedback on the chin – it’s hard to hear how others perceive you, especially after you’ve tried, worked so hard – but once I started making progress on my development plan, I felt better. In fact, the difference between where I was and where I am now is remarkable. There was a huge shift in my focus from being the technical expert who felt I needed to have all the answers, to taking a more strategic leadership role. It was eye-opening to realize that I can now do my job even better! Fredia gently but firmly guided me to this new understanding of my role: I don’t have to solve everyone’s problems. I now coach and develop the people on my team and let them be part of the decisions. I’ve reorganized my calendar in a way that works better for me, my family and my team, and now I have time to take the dog for a walk every single day, which is my best thinking time. I feel more confident, less frazzled and am extremely grateful.