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L Vaughan Spencer

By L Vaughan Spencer (March 2008 Issue)
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We hear so much about peak performance but how do we get our people there? Where do they go on the way to the peak? The foothills, base camp then the meat of the climb, with ledges and crampons and everything, in my Feeling Peaky Coaching System.

But what about those who are nowhere near the mountain and haven’t even packed their kit-bag? These ‘pre-kit’ or PK types (as I call them) lack emotional resilience. They may hide in the stationery cupboard during work hours or get a friend to ring up and pretend to be their mum and say they are poorly. You thought they were a foothiller, but there they are in your office, lying on the carpet asking for a cuddle.

So it’s time for The Chat. They may not be able to hear what you say because they are emotionally blocked – or they are listening to their i-Pod. Choose a suitable environment. An abbatoir is not conducive. Choose the right clothes. I suggest autumn colours – russet, beige – the kind of thing I wear. A hooded black garment sends the wrong message. Have drinks on hand. Not coffee. It’s hot and could stain your saffron smock when thrown. Water is best. Not fizzy, though. You don’t want to be burping when they are sobbing their heart out.

Here’s a suggested empathetic intervention…

Bill, you seem to have no idea what you’re doing. I love you and not just because I’m coaching you. Tell me what’s on your mind. You and I can agree a future action plan. That may include pulling your socks up or taking your talent elsewhere. How do you feel? If you and I were hymns, do you think we might be on the same sheet?

For the follow-up a few days later, think of a new, but non-threatening, location. The gent’s toilet is not sufficiently private and a bit pongy. To make Bill feel comfortable, perhaps go to his house. But don’t warn him in advance, that would only worry him. Wait outside his house in the early morning until he’s about to leave for work, then jump out, maybe with a bacon sandwich to relax him. performance.

Speak slowly and measuredly as he attempts to get in his car.

Bill. I was stupid to think you would understand what I was talking about last time. It’s not you, it’s me. I want you to feel confidence in me. Would you like a massage? Frankly, replacing you would be very expensive. I have some options for helping you get your act together. Maybe Ethan and Chantelle from the typing pool, or whatever it’s called now, could shadow you and point out what you’re doing wrong. Alternatively, you might want to think about taking a pay cut. How do you feel right now? Are your emotional drivers fully bought in?

Actually, this is exactly what I said with a recent PK case. The next intervention took place a few days later. Here’s a transcript…

Bill, thank you for coming to see me. I should be leaving hospital in a couple of days. I don’t think I will press charges. I’m glad you are coming to terms with your anger issues. I certainly don’t have any bad feelings. In fact, I don’t have any feelings at all in my right leg.

I then maintained silence for several minutes as I let Bill work internally in deep self-reflexivity and smile at the nurses. He knew the answer lay in himself and not in trying to run me down with his car and throwing my bacon sandwich over the neighbour’s hedge.

I’m glad to say he is now in the foothill zone. My own foot, sadly, is still in the ‘ouch that really hurts’ zone.

Agree? Disagree? Contact L-Vo with your personal or work-related query via www.Succeedy.com

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