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In corporate world we constantly need to do more with less. Work smarter, not harder. Raise efficiency levels month after month. Never enough. Focus on sales. Attract and retain employees. Deliver results. When working with executives at middle-management level, the biggest frustration I encounter is when circle of influence and circle of involvement are not aligned. When managers feel responsible for those areas they cannot affect. But when working at C-level and even with CEO’s, the same question pops up. To be successful as a leader you have to enlarge your own effectiveness through your teams. You simply cannot do everything yourself. Not even when you are the CEO. The answer lies in increasing your personal influence. Guiding, inspiring, challenging, motivating, empowering your teams.
But who challenges you? Your board of directors hopefully does. If not you have a serious problem. But even then, it is not easy to open up personally when it comes to your own confidence, doubts, aspirations, trust, integrity, …
And that is why you should try out the Power of having an objective soundboard. One who dares to stand up against you. Without any hidden agenda or fear of getting fired (that’s why I only work prepaid ;-)). Giving you valuable and constructive feedback on your thoughts. Challenging you to perform at your best. Facilitating you instead of advising on how to proceed. As an expert in accelerating personal development with above 15 years of experience in the corporate world, I am result oriented and can be pretty confrontational. But at the end of the day, it is you that needs finding the answers, not me. I am only acting as your objective soundboard. A powerful mirror.
There does not have to be a specific issue to benefit from individual Coaching. Nevertheless it is important to define upfront what you want to achieve with this invested time. This allows both you and your Coach to keep the focus and monitor progress. Finally, the content of Coaching sessions are 100% confidential. Need I tell you it can be so liberating to be able to speak freely without having to take into account possible effects, gossip and corridors?
What do you think? Did you experience the added value yourself? Or are you hesitating and why?
Questions or remarks? Feel free to comment!
Sofie Varrewaere is the founder of BigFish4.me. After studying a Master in Psychological and Pedagogical Sciences, she ogled into the magical world of Recruitment, Selection and HR Services. Working for the world leader in HR, she has always been in an advisory role in relation to the larger goals of several multinational organizations. In 2013 she started her own company in International executive Coaching. Doing what she is good at, challenging others as well as herself.
SOFIE VARREWAERE 