Sample Cases

This page offers actual case examples to bring coaching to life. These brief sketches illustrate how clients' original circumstances are transformed through coaching. 

In each case, a brief description of the situation has been outlined, along with sample learning strategies designed to address just one of each client's several defined outcomes. The last section briefly describes some results of our work together. Names and specifics have been changed for confidentiality.

Explore brief cases featuring these themes:

Jeff: Improving listening skills and teamwork
Ruth: Holding people accountable
Beth: Changing careers
Rod: Managing time and priorities
Bill: Working with performance anxiety
Sample "outer world" (effectiveness) outcomes
Sample "inner world" (fulfillment) outcomes

JEFF

Situation
Jeff is a senior executive and passionate leader with a strong track record and radically ambitious business goals. However, passion translated into an overbearing style that sometimes left team members out in the cold. Jeff knew he had to change his own behavior in order to build the level of teamwork that his challenging goals required. A 360 review exercise provided telling feedback on how his style was impeding progress.

Sample Outcome (one of six)
Balance passion, inspiration and drive with listening to evoke ideas and input from others.

Sample Learning Strategies

• Read the book Difficult Conversations.

• Practice identifying what's reasonable and correct in another's point of view.

• Experiment with body language (e.g., leaning back in meetings rather than leaning forward.) Collect data on what happens.

• Observe tendency to interrupt others through self-observation exercise.

Results
A follow-up 360 review six months later provided solid evidence that Jeff was listening better, and effectively eliciting input from others. The group is on track toward their goal.

RUTH

Ruth is the new CEO of an organization with a history of poor performance and a fear-based culture. She’d made a number of employee-friendly changes. However, Ruth then recognized the need to be more consistent in holding employees accountable, without evoking the old mentality.

Sample Outcome (one of four)
Increase effectiveness at shifting responsibility and accountability to others through delegation.

Sample Learning Strategies

• Use self-observation exercise to observe herself modeling accountability.
• Use a body practice to develop ability to recognize her reluctance to challenge people.
• Develop and articulate talking points that convey the expectation of accountability.

Results
Ruth successfully and consistently articulates a dual focus on people and accountability. The organization has developed a new structure to drive critical priorities, while experiencing significant breakthroughs as a direct result. The organization has become the top region, among over 30, on a number of key performance metrics.

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BETH

Situation
Beth is a talented and creative person in a limiting job. She wanted support in exploring alternative careers, but was concerned about her tendency to jump into new things impulsively.

Sample Outcome (one of five)
Develop a specific, detailed plan with action steps for a new life chapter that supports creativity.

Sample Learning Strategies

• Recognize the impulse to act without thinking things through, using a self-observation exercise.

• Write a personal mission statement and criteria for a more satisfying career.

• Imagine and describe a set of viable alternative scenarios.

• Increase core strength through Pilates class.

Results
Beth is clear on the criteria the "right" job will meet, and at peace with her current job until that happens. She has narrowed the choices down to a specific path, and has turned down several possibilities that weren't right for her.

ROD

Situation
Rod is a successful consultant with a demanding travel schedule, extensive family and community obligations, and a blistering pace. Because of his “pleaser” personality, he felt overextended and out of control.  He was no longer being his best in any situation.

Sample Outcome (one of four)
Discern which activities bring real joy and fulfillment, then develop the self- awareness and capacity to say “no” to ones that don’t.

Sample Learning Strategies

• Self-observation exercise to monitor the subtle internal experience of saying “yes” or “no” to opportunities.
• Practice relaxing and calming nervous reactions to events.
• Inventory each activity’s actual benefits and costs.
• Decline or discontinue a number of commitments that are no longer satisfying.
  

Results
Rod has renegotiated healthier boundaries in several areas, including. changing his relationship with his firm. He has eliminated a number of unfulfilling obligations, and is laying the groundwork for a deeply fulfilling and purposeful business.

BILL

Situation
Bill works as an internal consultant and coach in a fast-paced corporation, and suffered from intense performance anxiety. By not asking for help or taking a strong stand on matters of importance, his creativity and clarity had diminished, and he no longer felt satisfied in what had seemed an ideal job.

Sample Outcome (one of six)
Increase competency to recognize anxiety and tentative behavior, and replacing it with calm, centered self-confidence.

Sample Learning Strategies

• Observe and identify situations in which he feels overly responsible.

• Cultivate relaxation techniques through body practices.

• Experiment to identify a core set of techniques to reduce anxiety before a presentation.

Results
Bill is much more able to relax and enjoy the work that he's doing. He has identified several reliable techniques to reduce his anxiety level in key situations. He's more able to request support, and is more relaxed and back on track at work.

OUTER WORLD OUTCOMES

Here are samples of other outcomes focused on the "outer world" of professional competence. "Outer" outcomes guide your development in areas that are most often visible to others.

• Presenting yourself effectively in business interactions.

• Determining short- and long-term career focus and direction.

• Engaging, involving and mentoring others.

• Balancing decisiveness with caring, inquiry, and engagement.

• Recognizing and replacing unclear, implicit communication with direct, succinct communication.

• Identifying and modifying "hot button" reactions such as judgment and anger.

• Listening attentively and making clear requests with boss and fellow employees.

• Assessing strategic options in complex situations.

INNER WORLD OUTCOMES

Here are examples of "inner world" outcomes that build your capacity for self-generation and fulfillment. These will be primarily observable only by you. At the same time, they are essential for success in outer-directed ones.

• Recognizing tension and hyper-vigilance in your body and replacing them with calm relaxation.

• Recognizing your needs and consciously balancing them with the needs of others in every decision.

• Recognizing and letting go of the impulse to "fix things" and keep everyone happy.

• Observing where and how you reduce your authenticity by holding back or waiting for the world to be safe.

• Maintaining presence and self-awareness in difficult interactions with others.

• Staying focused on important priorities amid the "noise" of daily work.

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In coaching, outcomes serve as navigation beacons to guide and measure progress. Generally, a coaching program will be built around four to six such outcomes. During your free consultation we can discuss how clear, observable outcomes can be developed to serve your specific needs.