Individual Solutions
Note: The examples below are real engagements. Names and details of the case studies have been changed to protect the identity of the executives and companies.
Targeted Challenge
Joe, the CEO of a Fortune 500 technology company, was a brilliant business person, but was not a leader that employees wanted to follow. The business struggled and key talent began to look for jobs elsewhere. The CEO was resistant to coaching and did not see the value in spending time on leadership development.
Sharp Solution
Over the course of a nine month executive coaching engagement, Joe learned the value of being as strategic in his delivery as his focus on results. He implemented the practice of “reading before leading” and varying his leadership style. The CEO became someone who leveraged his influence skills more than his positional power and this resulted in higher levels of initiative and engagement.
Targeted Challenge
Bill, the recently hired head of a private equity firm, was concerned about navigating the politics in a new environment. In previous roles he was successful in generating substantial deal flow, but unsuccessful in gaining support for key decisions.
Sharp Solution
We worked with Bill to develop his political acumen and emotional intelligence. Over the course of six months, Bill learned how to read himself, his people, and the organization prior to taking action. He developed positive habits that enhanced his business expertise and the bottom line.
Targeted Challenge
Steve, a professional basketball player, was struggling with confidence and concentration. The pressure of playing at an elite level was taking a toll.
Sharp Solution
We identified Steve’s core doubts and barriers to confidence. Working together we developed a visualization script of elite performances and built his confidence through using “trigger words.” We also practiced strategies to help Steve focus his attention in critical, game time moments.
Targeted Challenge
Tim was a day trader who found himself in a slump and experiencing a lack of focus and burn out. This was impacting his bottom line and his confidence to be an elite trader.
Sharp Solution
We helped Tim identify key stress factors and tap into his view of long-term success. Once Tim had a clear vision of success, we applied sport psychology skills, such as imagery, self-talk, and focus that are used by elite athletes. Tim regained his passion for trading and became more effective at making the necessary in-the-moment decisions that are the difference between winning and losing.
Team Solutions
Targeted Challenge
A prominent Fortune 500 company was having challenges with the performance of one of their executive teams. There was lack of clarity in their roles and challenges around managing conflict and prioritizing.
Sharp Solution
We worked closely with Donna, the company’s CEO, to help her craft her vision and business priorities. Through an executive offsite we led the team to work on understanding one another’s communication styles and building team effectiveness. In aligning their business priorities with their strengths, the team identified key commitments to drive their business forward.
Targeted Challenge
Ron, a chief executive, was taking over a new team and did not have an understanding of the business unit’s culture and norms.
Sharp Solution
We worked with the company to facilitate a leader assimilation process that allowed both Ron and the team to discuss the company’s culture, working styles and expectations. The team was provided the opportunity to share their insights, concerns, and aspirations and became more aligned and focused on working on business challenges together rather than being distracted with concerns related to the leadership transition.
Organizational Solutions
Targeted Challenge
A large pharmaceutical company was rolling out an initiative for managers of scientists around core conversations they were expected to have with their direct reports. The scientist managers knew what they had to do, but did not know how since these types of conversations were new and intimidating.
Sharp Solution
The pharmaceutical company partnered with us to provide support and learning to their scientist managers. The initiative focused on building the skills and confidence of high potential scientists. Through a series of monthly interactive sessions the scientist managers learned how to have these conversations as well as developed an ongoing peer network to support one another.
Targeted Challenge
A bank that was in a growth spurt was having challenges within their IT department. The IT leaders were focused on the tactical side of their work, but communication between infrastructure and development was breaking down and creating silos.
Sharp Solution
We worked with the head of IT to tailor an initiative on emotional intelligence and influence. A session with all IT managers served as a kickoff for the initiative. Each manager went through a 360 process focused on emotional intelligence. These insights provided participants with an understanding of their colleagues’ preferences and practical strategies on how to lead IT more effectively across the organization.
Targeted Challenge
A Fortune 500 media company was in the midst of change after change. This created a lack of confidence, ownership, and focus in their sales force.
Sharp Solution
The company worked with us to identify key messages to challenge attitudes and build skills for a lasting impact. A keynote address was given at an international event for the senior executives. Leadership development initiatives were rolled out to the sales force that were aligned with the organization’s direction. This strategic tactic built the sales team’s confidence and competence related to dealing with the changes and focusing on what they do best: selling.