It is that time of the year at VIM Executive Coaching, Thanksgiving time, when we often hear from past clients who thank us for the executive coaching techniques they have learned from our organization. We don’t say this out of ego. In fact, it is impossible for us to help a client without the client helping us as well. For in all things in life, the teacher will again become the student. It is a beautiful, affirming cycle.
My Greatest Pleasure
One former client who recently contacted us said:
“One of my greatest pleasures is when my managers work together as an effective and harmonious team and they really don’t need my help. I am thankful for that like you wouldn’t know!”
Experience has shown that when executive leaders are in synch with themselves and their managers great things can happen. In order to arrive at such a synchronous state, leaders must strive to be authentic in the way they relate to others, to be mindful of themselves and those around them and to be responsive rather than reactive to situations.
The client to whom we refer to above, did not always have smooth sailing. In fact, she was challenged in mid-career after receiving a “neutral review.” While it was acknowledged that she was detail oriented, worked long hours and was creative, she was also seen as the type of person who reacted (sometimes irritably) to any suggestions, who could inconsistently change from one minute to the next and who her employees felt was disinterested and disengaged from workplace problems. Considering her organization was involved in software that addressed social media marketing, where the ability to network and inter-connect was a vital skill, her lack of engagement was a serious drawback.
The job had been her dream job, and we well remember the first time she came into the VIM Executive Coaching offices rather “frightened” that the neutral evaluation would lead to a termination unless she took action in a much more positive direction.
Ancient Teaching Modern
When talking about teachers becoming students, I was struck by the larger picture and the bigger sweep of things. The executive who came to us (and taught us) knew incredible things about software, software marketing and social media. Talking to her was an incredible experience.
Yet, one of the tools we gave her in return was mindfulness meditation, techniques that go back hundreds, if not thousands of years. We wanted to better center her, to teach her to be mindful of what was happening and to let that lead to greater compassion and authenticity.
As she learned such skills, she was better able to relate to her employees and in turn, build up a level of trust where they could bring their problems to her and she would respond rather than “snap” or react.
As she gained in confidence as a manager, she was given greater sets of responsibility and ultimately, more promotions. She became known as a leader who really listened and responded to matters at hand. Obviously, those positive qualities reflected in her reviews.
The “Thankless Pleasure” she took from her employees was in seeing them grow, succeed and be more effective in their jobs. Her thanks, was in seeing that by nurturing others, in turn they would nurture the company and each other.