EXECUTIVE COACHING
Overcoming a leader’s perceived ‘lack of charisma’
Situation
The newly-appointed CEO had a finance background and had been promoted for his outstanding analytical skills and sharp strategic acumen. At the head of a well-known FMCG multinational company, his main challenge was to re-engage the workforce, whose morale was at an all-time low and turn-over at an all-time high, in a context where the economy was weak and the sales growth was stagnating for the first time in years.
The CEO had no prior experience to draw from and was not seen as highly charismatic. He was daunted by the task at hand.
Excerpts from our coaching work
We first identified the strengths the CEO brought to the position, and how he could leverage them at best. That enhanced his confidence to get the job well done. We then recognized the gaps in his skill-set and which ones he could fill himself. Shadowing him along meetings, I witnessed him effectively engaging and even inspiring others in particular circumstances.
An in-depth analysis enabled to identify what made him tick then. He went on to study what made others tick, and he then figured out what he could do to make others tick. Practice and further shadowing refined his skills at motivating others, whilst staying true to his character.
Aside of this work, we brainstormed initiatives to engage the whole work-force (see outcomes). In addition, we arranged for the CEO to work with a voice-coach, a media coach, meet several peers from other industries and attend CEO forums.
Outcome
The new CEO developed an inspiring vision with his Executive Committee, engaged executives in a Company-wide project to generate “leaders” at all levels, and walked the talk relentlessly. 2 years later, the business outperformed competition in its key-markets, staff turnover considerably decreased, and sales grew 15% YOY in a still slow economy.
The CEO also delivered several successful interviews with the media.