The Situation: C-Suite Material
James has been in the company since graduating high school and possesses impressive technical skills. He understands the customer since he virtually grew up working with them. His group is also the organization’s most profitable.
Opportunities for James center around ways to strengthen his team communication and management skills. He knows how to interact with customers in work and social situations but could be better during critical issue discussions with the CEO about the team and growth potential. The CEO does not see him as a potential vice president or as taking a seat with the board of directors. James looks the part but lacks the gravitas the CEO feels is needed for further career advancement.
The Action Plan/Solution:
First, James began to accept that he is not entitled to a Vice President role, despite the fact he has been with the firm more than 20 years and that his group generates the most profits for the company. James fortunately possesses the self-awareness to know he struggles in managing difficult situations. That’s the place his opportunity begins, handling demanding issues by first addressing them head on.
He started developing communication skills by asking clarifying questions before answering in a defensive posture. The key issue for James is to project confident leadership so the company knows that James can help grow the company during challenging times, too. James also began requesting that his group address the tough matters to give him additional support.
The Outcome:
James started to acknowledge problematic situations. He is committed to ongoing communications with his team, senior management, and customers as the best way to navigate obstacles. James helped the company work through a trying economic year in 2017 and was named Vice President of his group in 2018. He has confidently presented before the board numerous times since then and continues working on honing his active listening skills and asking inclusive questions.
The real person smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, grows brave by reflection. Thomas Paine