Whenever I give a speech, seminar, or workshop I get written course evaluations, and save the rave reviews to use in sales. I do the same with consulting engagements. After I led an offsite management retreat, I ended by asking the participants for an exit statement. As we circled the table, I jotted down their comments. These words were very useful in the situation below.
I invited an executive to attend a CareerLab-sponsored TOP-12 human resources leadership roundtable, and she asked me to describe my most difficult executive coaching assignment. This was a selling opportunity, so I replied with this e-mail.
Hi Jen,
Thanks for being there today. It's nice getting to know you.
In our recent lunch, you asked me about my most difficult executive coaching assignment. I mentioned the reluctant CEO with no leadership competencies who inherited the company from his parents. This is a real Stanford-Wharton-Harvard case study.
After coaching the CEO and Vice President of Human Resources one-on-one, I led an offsite retreat last Friday focusing the management team on opportunities, not problems. The four-hours were spent articulating opportunities and wins, and it was a grand-slam home run. The feedback is below. You'll notice the CEO did have to mention "still a lot of hard work ahead!"
So far, so good. I'll keep you posted.
:B
- We've started working together.
- A sense of teamwork.
- Very upbeat session. The atmosphere was positive. It's good to see people starting to smile. We needed this meeting—have been feeling frustrated.
- I'm encouraged that everyone wants to improve the operations . . . and how it relates to the bottom line.
- We need to carry this enthusiasm forward. It was fantastic.
- Good meeting.
- This is something I've been hoping and praying for. This is a company I want to be at. Our enthusiasm will carry forward. We needed this.
- Fresh ideas. People can feel the change, see the more human side of things. It's different . . . .
- The tension among the group is a lot less. It was higher earlier. It's encouraging.
- Very happy with today. Very refreshing to have good, positive dialogue. Still a lot of hard work ahead.