Client stories: Developing Strategic Leadership for Promotion and Organisational Impact
- mstopforth
- May 6
- 3 min read
Updated: May 14
We were asked to support the head of the global safety assurance team of a multinational consumer goods company who was at a pivitol moment in their leadership journey. The goal was to prepare them to be ready and considered for promotion to Director level within 6-12 months. To do this, they needed more than technical expertise - they needed to sharpen their strategic mindset, strengthen their leadership presence, and become an even more influential, credible figure within the organisation and across its stakeholder networks.
The Challenge
The coaching challenge was multifaceted:
Help transition from an operational to a strategic leadership approach
Build ability to see the big picture, anticipate trends, and create forward-looking strategies
Strengthen communication, influence, and stakeholder management
Develop greater self-awareness of leadership impact, including how to better use strengths and manage emotional responses under pressure
This wasn’t just about skill-building; it was about supporting a talented leader to unlock their potential, overcome the internal barriers holding them back, and align their leadership with the behaviours needed for higher-level impact.
The Approach
We designed an intensive, psychologically grounded one-to-one coaching programme, tailored to their ambitions and built around evidence-based leadership development principles.
Clarifying leadership identity and goals: We began by helping the leader articulate their personal leadership purpose. What they wanted to be known for, how they defined strategic leadership in their organisational context, and what success at the next level would truly look like.
Mapping strengths, gaps, and opportunities: Using 360-degree feedback, leadership profiles, and reflective exercises, we explored current leadership patterns: where they excelled, where they wanted to grow, and what changes would make the biggest difference.
Building a strategic mindset: Through coaching conversations, practical assignments, and real-world application, we focused on shifting the leader’s attention from operational tasks to strategic thinking. Together, we explored how to better connect external market trends, regulatory changes, and internal business needs to shape proactive, competitive strategies.
Strengthening influence and stakeholder relationships: We mapped key stakeholders and opinion leaders, developing tailored influence strategies to increase visibility and impact. We also worked on understanding communication styles, improving presence in senior meetings, and building confidence in high-profile interactions.
Enhancing self-awareness and emotional agility: We integrated reflective practice tools to help the leader better understand their leadership impact, recognising “good day, bad day” behaviours, managing emotional responses under pressure, and using strengths more intentionally.
The Outcomes
By the end of the programme, the leader had:
Sharpened their strategic mindset and articulated a clear leadership identity aligned to the organisation’s business needs
Strengthened their presence, influence, and stakeholder relationships across internal and external networks
Developed practical action plans to continue growing leadership capabilities and prepare for promotion
Increased confidence and self-awareness as a leader, building not just competence but resilience
Importantly, they were no longer seen solely as a high-performing technical expert. They were recognised as a credible, forward-looking leader ready to drive change and growth at a senior level.
Why This Matters
At The Performance Equation, we help leaders understand that high performance isn’t only about doing more. It’s about aligning potential with purpose, reducing the interference that holds you back, and focusing on what will create the most meaningful impact.
This coaching journey shows the power of combining psychological insight, reflective practice, and practical leadership development, helping leaders step up, stand out, and thrive.
Want to Prepare for Your Next Leadership Leap?
If you’re a senior leader looking to sharpen your strategic thinking, strengthen your leadership presence, and position yourself for greater impact, we’d love to help.
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