THE CONTEXT

Stepping out of uniform can be a daunting challenge for many who have made a career in the service. After a couple decades working in government, J was excited to take the reins as deputy director of a global philanthropic organization. Public health is his passion, and he has dedicated his life to protecting the health and wellbeing of people around the world. But the transition from a very hierarchical organization to one with more fluid structure required both discipline and flexibility. J engaged Jennifer to help him adjust to new expectations and varied workstyles.

“The expectations were very different than they are in a more hierarchical kind of structure. It’s just built differently. I was looking for help to better understand my new environment.”
- J, Deputy Director

CLARIFYING THE VISION

J’s government experience was a definite positive in this new role, but there was work to be done to unwind some of his reliance on strict protocols and top-down hierarchy. One of Jennifer’s first goals was to help him learn to listen differently, to pick up his co-workers’ verbal and physical cues. Through tightly focused, highly productive coaching sessions—supported by extensive outside resources and activities—J began to evolve his thinking on strategy, partnerships, and the business of public health as a whole. For example, in his government work his collaboration with the business team was limited to seeking their legal and compliance guidance. But in this new role, that team was a critical partner in setting the strategic direction for the entire organization—a necessary mindset shift that J was eager to undertake.

“I’m learning how to be a very different kind of leader than I was when I was running a division of 500 people...how to collaborate, communicate, create space for others.”

PERSONALIZING THE PATH

As an experienced coach, Jennifer has many tools at her disposal, but the Enneagram is one of the most powerful. A personalized Integrative Enneagram assessment helped J gain a better understanding of his own working style and how it impacts his colleagues. As a Style 1—Strict Perfectionist—he holds himself and others to high standards, and he values organization and order. He’s conscientious, careful, and respectful, but his tendency to lead by example in the form of doing can quickly become overwhelming. He needed to learn how to empower and encourage others instead of doing everything himself.

In addition to helping J understand his internal motivations, the Enneagram work helped him communicate more effectively with his team and engage them more actively in strategic direction and decision making.

“In terms of getting into the weeds and getting deep into a technical issue, my Style 1 serves me very, very well. And when you’re taking on diseases; you can’t get there if you don’t pay attention to detail. But there’s another piece of the strategy which takes place at a much higher level. And there’s a big picture for the whole team that required me to learn how to use my Enneagram skill set in a more strategic way than just digging down and getting things done.”

CATALYZING GROWTH

J experienced four reorganizations at the organization over the course of their multi-year coaching relationship. Through his ongoing work with Jennifer, he’s been able to approach these periods of uncertainty and ambiguity with patience and equanimity. Drawing from her business experience and deep understanding of organizational dynamics, Jennifer was able to help J through these unpredictable times in a way that built upon his strengths and incorporated his newly developed skills.

His supervisor has observed significant growth, particularly in J’s executive presence and his effectiveness at using his voice where it’s most needed, including advocating for programs in support of the organization’s overarching strategic goals. J also credits Jennifer with helping him understand where to focus his attention and energies and identify what can be delegated. The coaching work has made him a better leader, and a stronger advocate for the important public health work he’s dedicated his career to.

“Jennifer has been a thoughtful, insightful, and highly supportive partner in helping me to improve upon my leadership skills and professional relationships across the organization and with our many global partners.”