Executives are challenged with communicating and leading the organization through change
Company: Professional Services
Development needs: Redirect the conduct of an executive vice president, new to an organization that is going through major change. Help him learn to communicate with and motivate his employees through the difficult times ahead. Build an environment of trust and solidify relationships to create a productive and cohesive team.
Challenges: The first task for the new EVP was to cut back on the cost of operations, which meant downsizing the organization. Not surprisingly, he experienced coldness and lack of cooperation with each employee interaction. He soon came to realize that his brusque, authoritative communication style was in direct contrast with that of his predecessor, who had been exceptionally well liked. Frustrated by his lack of results, the EVP decided that he would be best served if he better understood his staff, learned to openly and honestly communicate with them, and enabled them to see "the big picture" in a more positive light.
Solutions:
- VoicePro® created a master development plan for this executive. It began with the DISC Behavioral Assessment, which gave him, for the time, important insight into the impact of his personal style on others. VoicePro® then coached the EVP over a period of six months. He learned to listen better and respond empathically to the expressed concerns of his staff. He learned to balance his strong desire for results with a concern for his people. This began to create a new team spirit. He also learned to communicate clearly and concisely the new goals of the organization so they were understood and accepted.
- Based on the results of his coaching, the executive vice president decided to extend the program to his entire team. So, VoicePro® customized a Speak! Present! Influence!® program that established a common ground of understanding among them. They learned the skills necessary to keep open lines of communication up and down the chain of command. They recognized the essentialness for appropriate nonverbal signals during tough discussions. And, they learned how to give and receive feedback with courtesy and respect for others.
- The organization's need to balance its concern for results with a concern for its people matched that of the executive vice president. In order to extend what he had learned down into the organization, VoicePro® conducted a customized Results & Relationships™ program 60 days after Speak! Present! Influence!® The team learned how to adapt their behaviors to diverse communication styles within the team. They also learned the secrets of good listening, the magic of empathy, and techniques for resolving conflict.
What was the benefit to the company?
- Through coaching and the DISC Behavioral Assessment, the executive vice president learned to build trust, confidence, and an open line of communication with his employees.
- The EVP's direct reports learned to be open to the evolution of the new organization and how to successfully communicate their needs and concerns throughout the period of change.
- A cohesive team was built.
- The company's change initiatives were understood and embraced.
- Limited resources were utilized to the fullest, which ultimately saved the company a great deal of money.