How Coaching Launched Miguel into Senior Leadership

In this case study, I coach on skill-building and personal branding so my client can move out of middle management.

Have you ever felt like your bosses aren't seeing your talents and potential? That's how my client Miguel* felt as he was vying for a role in senior leadership at his company. Through a coaching engagement, I was able to help him further develop his leadership skills and snag the promotion he wanted.

Learn more about the variety of professional challenges and desired changes that my clients bring to coaching, as well as how we work together to reach their goals. Find more case studies on the Ken Meyers coaching blog.

Problem

Miguel felt stuck in middle management at his company, where he'd been getting passed over for senior-level roles despite his qualifications and experience. He sought me out for coaching to help him transition from his mid-level job to a senior-level leadership position.

Leadership Coaching Process

When Miguel and I started working together, we did some foundational work around his skills and experiences. Through that initial assessment, we identified Miguel's strengths as well as areas for development. We compared these to the essential attributes and competencies of senior-level leadership. Miguel then set clear and specific goals for his desired promotion.

With Miguel in the driver's seat, we designed a personalized development plan to enhance his leadership skills — specifically strategic thinking, decision-making, and executive presence.

As specific barriers and challenges cropped up throughout the coaching engagement, we addressed them head-on. We created an action plan with tangible steps, timelines, and accountability measures to keep Miguel on-track to meet his goals.

We also worked on improving his personal branding and visibility within the organization. As his leadership coach, I guided Miguel through the nuances of effective networking and relationship-building. He began confidently communicating his achievements to stakeholders.

Throughout the coaching journey, I fostered an environment where Miguel had the agency to develop his own solutions. I provided guidance, tools, and frameworks to support his growth — but ultimately, I empowered him to take ownership of his development.

Results

It was a big win for Miguel: By the end of our coaching engagement, he won his promotion to senior-level leadership.

As part of the coaching process, Miguel also developed a stronger leadership presence, honed his strategic thinking competencies, and more effectively communicated his value to internal and external key stakeholders. This leadership growth continues to be a boon to his career.

*This client's name has been changed to protect his privacy.

Want to know more about coaching? Book a one-on-one consultation with me to learn how coaching can help you navigate the leadership changes you want to make.