Case Study One-to-One Coaching: Finding the right voices for the task

‘Technically capable but needs to develop more interpersonal skill.’ It’s a common starting point for many executive coaching assignments, although the individual cases that emerge from the coaching process are as varied and subtly different as human beings themselves.

Mac was one example. Employed by an institution where data security was a paramount concern, he quickly made his mark. His cyber security expertise was highly valued. His bluntness with other people was not, especially as his new role required him to educate and persuade staff at all levels to accept cyber security disciplines.

His Voiceprint self-perception profile was used to explore these issues with him. The shape of his profile resonated immediately.
‘That’s me. When an issue arises, I ask very focused questions so I can use my experience to take a view on what I’m hearing; then I tell people what needs to be done straight away and what needs to be investigated more deeply.’

It was a pattern of talking to others that worked well for a cyber emergency. It was much less effective for persuading people to adopt a new mindset and the everyday routines that would need to go with it.

Coaching explained how the Inquire voice generates engagement, the Diagnose voice can be used to involve others in analysing and understanding potential problems, and the Articulate voice provides shared clarity. Mac had these voices, but he used them occasionally rather than regularly. VoicePrint enabled him to develop his use of these voices to encourage his stakeholders to get involved in scoping and recognising the potential risks of cyber insecurity for their particular part of the business and then to commit to the preventative procedures and behaviours that were needed to become cyber secure.