Case Studies
The Scenario
David is a talented CFO who consistently makes improvements in revenues, profits, and ROI. He has implemented a number of automated programs, tools, and technologies to optimize business performance. In short, he is an executive contributor to whom the senior team looks for practical, yet winning solutions. David, however, is often stressed by the demands of his peers, and during such times he becomes pessimistic and impulsive. He experiences minimal satisfaction from these relationships, finding it difficult to collaborate and equally difficult to face conflict.
CareerWorks' Solution
David engaged in honest communication with a CareerWorks’ coach to sort out his apparent lack of patience and inability to keep his cool under pressure. Through the use of the EQ 2.0 assessment, which measures 15 components of emotional and social functioning, David came to appreciate that his “soft” leadership skills required a degree of fine-tuning. With assistance, he implemented a plan for honing his leadership competencies which were in no way related to his impressive functional skills as CFO. It became evident to David that leadership is multi-layered!
The Scenario
Jill is a skilled and respected CEO , leading a committed team of accomplished professionals to consistently execute against business plans. Her Board is well functioning and collaborative. At home, Jill’s husband is an ambitious entrepreneur with a thriving advertising business, and her twin daughters are in their first year of university. To those around her, Jill’s life seems perfect.
But not to Jill. She is concerned about the company’s ability to respond to the ever-changing marketplace and constantly struggles to achieve a satisfactory balance between career and personal life. Jill is careful to keep her concerns from her senior management team. She often feels alone at the top.
CareerWorks' Solution
Jill hired CareerWorks to address her concerns. Together, they explored Jill’s professional, personal, and life balance issues to help Jill gain greater clarity about her future. She tested alternatives and developed viable action plans. Jill learned to take greater control over all aspects of her life, and developed a springboard to greater leadership success.
CareerWorks can do the same for you. Our executive coaching programs emphasize learning, self-awareness and experimentation to support personal and professional growth – all tailored to address your specific needs. Choosing to work with us could be the first step toward maximizing your leadership potential.
The Scenario
As CEO, Don leads the executive team and is proud of its commitment to organizational profitability. In fact, the Board is more than happy with current results and has sanctioned exciting new initiatives which Don and his team have designed for the new fiscal year. Yet a recent climate survey indicates that middle management feels isolated – set apart from the organization’s overall vision and its senior leaders. Reportedly, front-line staff also has a sense of disconnection. Don is shocked yet anxious to address this so that greater cohesion exists organizationally.
CareerWorks' Solution
CareerWorks utilized the ORSC (Organization & Relationship Systems Coaching) model in its work with Don and his senior leadership team. At a two-day, off-site retreat, this way of working with the team provided a shift in the way the group defined itself. Using sophisticated “team tools” along with this “systems” coaching model, a plan was effectively created to address organizational cohesion, starting with Don and the executive team. CareerWorks partnered with Don and his team to ensure that, over the next few months, this plan was executed and results were measurable.
The Scenario
Rick’s subordinates call him the ideal boss. Always available and easily approachable, he is respected for his excellent guidance and respected for his business savvy. Recently, a corporate announcement made it clear that the purchasing department, for which Rick has been a reliable and diligent manager for over fifteen years, will be moved to the company’s head office in the U.S. This means that he and his subordinates will be out of work within months.
CareerWorks' Solution
To assist Rick and his group, the company’s human resources manager engaged CareerWorks to create and deliver an outplacement program. They supported Rick and his team to identify their strengths, values and interests, and to establish new goals. The CareerWorks’ approach ensured that they had a meaningful opportunity to re-design their careers in alignment with their total lives. Individual coaching brought them the skills, support, strategy, and courage to move toward their new goals. Within months, all six found new positions.
But that’s the end of the story. Initially, CareerWorks coached the HR department to effectively manage the dismissal process—assissting in pre-dismissal planning and providing on-site termination support. They were also on site to help employees cope with the initial shock and disappointment of their dismissal, and to begin preparing them for the future.
The Scenario
Judy knows all too well that given half a chance, she could convince any company of her value as general manager. After all, her talent in leading mergers, acquisitions, and other business-building initiatives is something that has earmarked her impressive twenty-year career. Yet she has received no attention from the dozens of résumés she has submitted, not even a phone call or rejection letter. Judy is disheartened and anxious.
CareerWorks' Solution
Judy called CareerWorks to begin an exciting process of identifying her value proposition and career brand. Her career coach proficiently drew her out, expressing her accomplishments and skills in a strategic marketing package that Judy was proud to use in her search. Because her executive portfolio was designed specifically to showcase her value to her target market in unique ways including, but not exclusive to résumé deployment, Judy soon received the attention that she knew she deserved. She was happy to have found a way to make an impressive first impression!
The Scenario
Joanne needs to hire a new senior analyst for the IT department but she’s nervous. Richard, the last person she hired, had seemed perfect for the role. His interview and credentials had impressed her immensely and when he accepted her offer to join the department, she was certain she’d made the best hiring choice possible. However, within weeks, Richard’s behaviour had caused a great deal of tension on the team. Joanne’s staff were complaining about his verbal outbursts and inability to handle stress. Within months, Joanne had no choice but to let Richard go. But how would she not make the same hiring mistake twice?
CareerWorks' Solution
Joanne consulted with CareerWorks who introduced her to the Profile XT, an employee assessment used for selection, development, training, managing, and succession planning. This assessment helped Joanne to measure how well those on her short-list of candidates fit the specific requirements for the senior analyst role, not only in terms of aptitude, but also with respect to behaviour. The process through which CareerWorks took her was simple yet powerful. This time, she made the right hiring choice!
This is only one of many occupational assessments that CareerWorks can deploy to assist with all phases of employment, from selection and hiring to training, self-coaching
and management performance.