[Coaching Case Study] From Division Manager to Division General Manager: A Six-Month Journey of 'Raising Perspectives'
From January to June of this year, I was in charge of coaching a leader at a global company who was preparing for a promotion to Division General Manager.
While there were expectations for the new role, the leader also harbored anxieties about whether they could truly handle the position, and our partnership began after consultations with the executive team.
With the client's kind permission, I would like to share a portion of that exploration.
In the early stages of our sessions, there were many moments where I was asked for specific advice based on my own experience transitioning from HR Manager to HR Director, and then to Global CHRO.
There are certainly moments when sharing practical knowledge is valuable. However, what created even more change were the simple 'questions' posed through coaching.
What was impressive were the 'What if...' questions.
'What if you were the CEO?'
'What would you choose if there were no constraints?'
'If you could go back in time with the knowledge you have now, what would you do?'
Changing one's position changes the view, and changing the time horizon gives new meaning to past experiences. These are not questions meant to lead to a correct answer, but rather 'meaning-making questions' to connect with the answers already within oneself.
That is precisely why decisions about 'what to let go of and what to prioritize' also become deeply internalized as one's own will.
In July, the individual was officially promoted to Division General Manager. I was grateful to receive their request to continue our partnership because of the new position, and I am currently working with them on their challenges as an executive team member through both leadership coaching and organizational development for the management team.
What I value in coaching and organizational development is not providing answers, but creating a dialogue where the individual can find 'meaning' and start moving forward on their own.
Each leader finds meaning for themselves, unlocks their potential, and that transformation leads to organizational results. I look forward to continuing to accompany them on that journey.