Raising Emotional Intelligence for a Senior Manager at Rathbones
Client Profile
A seasoned Senior Manager at Rathbones, boasting over two decades in the financial sector, sought leadership coaching to elevate his emotional intelligence (EI).
Coaching objectives
Client sought leadership coaching to raise his emotional intelligence and achieve the objectives below-
Approaching difficult conversations with greater empathy.
Embracing ownership of outcomes and demonstrating vulnerability when appropriate.
Enhancing communication clarity and improve “signalling” to bridge intent-impact gaps. Making sure that others receive his intentions through his words, actions and behaviours.
Key Skills Development
Emotional Intelligence, Self-appraisal, Relationship Building
Challenges
Perceived Lack of Empathy: During a redundancy phase, his delivery of difficult news to affected colleagues led to perceptions of coldness, adversely affecting his reputation and self-confidence.
Reluctance to Show Vulnerability: He found it challenging to display vulnerability, hindering authentic connections with colleagues.
Impatience in Meetings: Encounters with conflicting viewpoints often resulted in impatience and dismissiveness, straining team dynamics.
Coaching Approach (key moments)
3-Way Contracting (Manager, Client and I): The coaching assignment was kicked off with a three-way conversation between the Manager, Client and myself. This was to align on systemic objectives, set expectations, and establish support and confidentiality boundaries, ensuring the process supports both individual and organizational goals. This highlighted some of the challenges Client faced at a wider level which he wasn’t aware of.
Self-Assessment: Utilized tools like 360 review outcomes, and debriefed results from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to help the Client gain insights into his personality preferences and how they influence her work style and career satisfaction.
Values & Identities Clarification: Engaged Client in exercises to identify his core values, strengths, and passions, ensuring his leadership identity was more aligned with his objectives. This was important to make sure that he understands what’s innately important to him and are valued in his role. This also offered him space to reflect on which values are “violated” in situations that make him impatient.
Some Targeted tools and Exercises: Implemented tools such as the Feelings Wheel to expand emotional expression, the Wise Chair for diverse communication perspectives, Non-Violent Communication principles to navigate disagreements constructively. We also utilised Stages of Adult Development, and some of the NLP processes such as Timeline exercise to gain clarity on an ideal leadership future, and Logical Levels to align his leadership across all possible forms of expression.
Exploration of Opportunities & Strategic Action: Assisted in identifying and practicing new approaches within the organization, evaluating their effectiveness, and making necessary adjustments. Key stakeholders were engaged as allies to support his development.
3-Way Review Meeting (Client, Manager and I): Concluded with a joint session to evaluate progress against initial objectives, celebrate achievements, and discuss next steps for continued growth.
Outcomes
Post-coaching, the client experienced transformative growth:
At least three colleagues had described him as "inspirational."
He became comfortable discussing vulnerabilities and took ownership of team outcomes.
Demonstrated patience and openness during disagreements, employing strategic approaches.
Enhanced ability to interpret subtle cues in body language and communication, leading to improved emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.
Client review
“I recently completed a coaching assignment with Shahrukh, and I can’t recommend his services highly enough. The coaching programme that we worked through has helped me to define the leader I wanted to be and address the steps I need to take to get there. His approach is innovative and challenging, requiring a great degree of self-reflection. This programme has put me on a path to be the leader I wish to be and facilitate progression in my career. Thank you again, Shahrukh.”
Engagements are anonymised to protect individuals and organisations. Detailed references are available upon request.