Case-study: from bored to engaged and confident

What we notice is this: whatever the level of success or the job title at work, a lack of confidence can strike at any time.

Or it can be tolerated for years until you decide to deal with it.

Here’s the case-study of a recent client based in France.

The Problem (the client’s words)

• I didn’t feel very confident at work
• I didn’t have enough work
• Needed more confidence
• Bit bored
• Didn’t feel we were a team
• I wasted time on the internet
• Same in other jobs, always wondering what people were thinking,
• Not sure about whether it’s the right job for me
• I looked a bit half-hearted, not engaged

The Problem (his wife’s words)

“He had had many jobs and always the same problem – at first he was very happy and then after a few weeks not satisfied and looking for another job. It was usually to do with relationships. He likes people and work relationships are important to him. There was always a problem with somebody or some people. I thought perhaps he should look at himself and do some self-analysis. I wanted him to be at ease and happier with himself. And he agreed. I think he was fed up with being disappointed with relationships and searching for another job.”

Solution

A programme of weekly coaching over Skype for 2 months with one of our team of experienced coaches.

It started with DISC Profiling and full debrief to discover his strengths and development areas. We included the debrief so he understood the power of the DISC system and how it relates to communicating with others. DISC was used as a reference point in later sessions too.

Results (the client’s words)

• I’m more involved in the job, and more participative
• More concentrated and focused
• More integrated – talking with several people, about weather and work too, taking me seriusly
• Better atmosphere at home – the move could have been hard and has been very good
• More occupied and not bored at work
• More confidence at work – feeling useful, pulling my weight
• More confidence in myself – doing the new habits, remembering my strengths
• Changed my habits re finding information
• More energy
• Yawning less
• More jokes

Results (his wife’s words)

Rating his happiness at work:

• Before coaching: 3 out of 10
• After coaching: 8 out of 10

“The coaching has been very positive. He often talks about it. He sees that it worked and he’s happy with what he did. He’s much happier in himself and he talks about his work differently. He seems to be taking more responsibility and control of his life and getting more pleasure from it.”

Most appreciated about the coaching (the client’s words)

• The results, and they come quickly.
• Answers come from me.
• It’s concentrated and I’m totally involved so it’s efficient.

 Five months later

We received this email from the client 5 months after the programme ended:

“I just wanted to give you some positive feedback. I’m glad I did the coaching and I wanted to THANK you. I work better, I’m more confident,  I get a lot of “thanks” from colleagues at work, and today, my boss was really satisfied with a presentation I did, which was synthetic and clear. At home, also, things are better. I keep on doing the exercises that maintain the success.”

At Oxford Professional Consulting we have over 30 years’ experience helping clients in the UK and overseas to change habits, build skills and maximise their potential so they enjoy work and life more. Our unique methodology is based on a specialist knowledge, plus coaching and training.

Coaching is a client-focused process directed to an outcome chosen by the client and supported by the coach. As above, it produces powerfully positive results when the client is open and committed to growth and change. 

If you would like to improve your engagement, success, enjoyment – or something else – at work, contact me. To book a complimentary consultation, email alison.haill@opcoxford.com or phone +44 1865 436 791.

Oxford Professional Consulting is Oxford’s most specialised coaching and training company. We enable leaders and managers to put themselves across better, so they achieve the success and respect they deserve for themselves and their company. We have 30 years’ experience helping international clients create great teams, influence others and lead within their organisation.