Unlocking Leadership Potential: A Coaching Journey to Director Level

mstopforth
May 6
3 min read

Updated: Jun 11

We were asked to support the head of the global safety assurance team of a multinational consumer goods company at a pivotal moment in their leadership journey. The goal was to prepare them 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 influential, credible figure within the organization and across its stakeholder networks.

The Challenge of Transition

The coaching challenge was multifaceted:

Help transition from an operational to a strategic leadership approach.
Build the 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 internal barriers, and align their leadership with behaviors needed for higher-level impact.

Approaching the Coaching Journey

We designed an intensive, psychologically grounded one-to-one coaching program 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 did they want to be known for? How did they define strategic leadership in their organizational context? What would success at the next level truly look like?

Mapping Strengths, Gaps, and Opportunities

Using 360-degree feedback, leadership profiles, and reflective exercises, we explored current leadership patterns. We identified areas 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

Next, we mapped key stakeholders and opinion leaders. We developed 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. They learned to recognize “good day, bad day” behaviors, manage emotional responses under pressure, and use their strengths more intentionally.

The Outcomes of Coaching

By the end of the program, the leader experienced significant transformations:

They sharpened their strategic mindset and articulated a clear leadership identity aligned with organizational business needs.
They strengthened their presence, influence, and stakeholder relationships across internal and external networks.
They developed practical action plans to continue growing their leadership capabilities and prepare for promotion.
They 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 emerged 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 interference that holds you back, and focusing on what will create the most meaningful impact.

This coaching journey exemplifies the power of combining psychological insight, reflective practice, and practical leadership development. It helps leaders step up, stand out, and thrive.