New Role, New Field
Kimmy got a new gig at a large foundation, her first time in philanthropy. As a woman of color, she had to learn to navigating an organizational culture with a strong commitment to equity and cultural competence in which micro-aggressions still happen often.
I helped Kimmy define and develop her professional presence and strategies for responding to micro-aggressions. We strategized and practiced crucial conversations with her supervisor and challenging team mates. We focused on her achievements and contributions to combat “imposter syndrome.”
Results:
- Willingness to respond directly to micro-aggressions by focusing on mission and shared purpose.
- Hold her supervisor and co-workers accountable for blind spots and stated goal of being more equity-aligned and focused.
- Greatly increased confidence!
- Developed stronger relationships with allies to ensure strong sponsorship of Kimmy’s new ideas and projects within the organization.
- Strong clarity about career goals and plan to move forward.
Some resources referenced: Beyond Inclusion, Beyond Empowerment, Adaptive Leadership, Intercultural Development Inventory
Please click here to set up a complimentary 30-minute phone or Zoom meeting to talk about how I can support your leadership development!
Learn more about Leadership Coaching with me.
Newly-Promoted Executive Director
Shayla was the newly-promoted Executive Director of a medium-sized human services non profit, where she had served as Director of Operations for five years. Shayla sought coaching because she to bring her best self to this new role and which would mean dropping some habits and beliefs that hadn’t served her well professionally and personally.
Shayla was especially nervous about having to give long-overdue feedback to former peers. On the one hand, she knew exactly what needed to change and that’s partly why she’d been promoted. On the other, she didn’t want to come across as heavy-handed and alienate these people with whom she’d built a strong foundation of trust.
Results:
Together, we figured out how Shayla could follow her instincts and integrity AND use her strengths and style to maintain trust. After some initial bumps and getting feedback herself, she has transitioned into her new role with grace and ease and an even stronger leadership team.
Some resources referenced: Strengths Finder, Fierce Conversations, Coaching with Backbone and Heart
Please click here to set up a complimentary 30-minute phone or Zoom meeting to talk about how I can support your leadership development!