Strategic account manager, responsible for developing relationships and growing revenue at a multi-billion dollar transportation company.
Challenge:
In 2009, Gunnar started a rigorous yearlong leadership program, amidst many personal life stressors. His mother had recently passed away from breast cancer, and his wife was pregnant with their second child. Needless to say, he was overwhelmed as he set out to accelerate his career and leadership acumen, while balancing that with other life situations.
Advice/Coaching:
Gunnar and Mike had been trusted co-workers for nearly 17 years; so Mike did not hold back in giving Gunnar feedback that he was not pleased with his Gunnar’s lack of leadership and example setting in and outside of the leadership program sessions. Mike explained the importance of the leadership program and how it was an honor to even be selected. During the conversation, Mike took a coaching approach, instead of a disciplinary one, which he knew would resonate more with Gunnar. Key takeaways that Gunnar had from the conversation were:
Everyone gets labeled in some way based on how they conduct and carry themselves.
Keeping the “3 Legged Stool” in balance was critical -- the three legs being Personal, Professional and Community.
Outcome:
Ultimately, Gunnar finished the Leadership program successfully. The guidance Mike gave Gunnar during this critical period in his personal and professional life has now become the foundation for how Gunnar behaves and endeavors to portray himself with his team and co-workers. Also, the 3 legged stool metaphor has had a profound impact on his life, including his two sons.
“Mike has a unique talent to listen, process, debate, guide, and support —- all at the same time! He will not let you off easy by just agreeing with what you so. More so, he will have make you explain in detail the “why’s and how’s” of not only your solution but also the situation that drove that solution. He consistently reinforces this key principle: “you cannot produce a solution without understanding the problem.”