David THE DIRECTOR

David was struggling to get noticed in the Leadership Team. He was by far the youngest member, but there was also an unintended niggle because of his obvious capability, talent and speed. He delivered. A Lot. Others…did not.

David’s role had been created and he was elevated because the Head of his area was underperforming. Tensions were high whenever metrics were updated (and argued). The Leadership Team had to rebalance, even entirely pivot, to keep up with reality and the changes customers were asking every week. And always more, sooner, for less, of course.

David tried several strategies until we were both convinced the best career move for him, was to get the next senior level title in his existing organisation, and then use the title to springboard into a Director role in a different company.

It took a year, persistence, learning to redirect his frustration into valuable actions, and also a few deep listens, non-violent communication, and radical candour conversations for him to be officially recognised for his contributions to the company’s successes in previous years. In the context of an industry that was in decline, in an organisation that also was in decline, increasingly David was freer and freer to express his needs, remain authentic to his values, and hold his leadership to their promises to him, and fulfil his next career step.

A second child arrived!

Moons, frustrations and successes down the road … in David’s current role at his new organisation, he has grown his team from himself only, to 10 more great folks. His organisation’s new capabilities are clearly delivering value and are in high demand to participate or lead new product and service offerings. This small team is key to the movement and growth of the company which is closely watched and highly traded on the London Stock Exchange - their share price keeps rising even when competitors are plateaued or falling.

David has a new house, two young very active children, enough time every week for a whole lot of fitness and learning.

Increasingly important bonuses are linked to his firm’s performance AND the rising stock price has become really important - a true indicator of the virtuous cycle resutling from the success of changes he is leading!