Wie bringen Sie als Coach einer Führungskraft in einer Krise Empathie und Objektivität effektiv in Einklang?

Too many schools of thought on avoiding emotions in coaching. Not a fan. If anything, emotional intelligence at that level is super critical, crisis leads to heightened emotions and acknowledging, empathising and influencing navigating that is a critical part of coaching imho. Also, not a fan of offering solutions - but provoking thoughts. Senior executives know more and sometimes our job is to just clear the cobwebs.

Balancing empathy and objectivity when coaching a senior executive in crisis is crucial. Consider the story of Howard Schultz, who, during Starbucks' 2008 crisis, sought guidance from a mentor. The mentor's approach combined deep empathy with clear-eyed analysis. They actively listened to Schultz’s concerns, showing empathy by understanding the emotional weight of the situation, while also providing objective, data-driven advice to navigate the crisis. This balance allowed Schultz to address immediate concerns compassionately while making strategic decisions. As a coach, embody this blend by acknowledging the executive's stress, but guide them with practical, unbiased insights for effective crisis management.

The balance between Backbone and Heart is always a struggle. The secret is building trust with the coachee and understanding how they communicate. For the coach, it's about learning to be present in the conversation and doing what needs to be done to help the coachee into a point of discomfort for action.

Empathize without compromising your objectivity, avoiding emotional entanglement. Maintain a solution-focused stance, exploring options and consequences. Ask insightful questions, encouraging self-reflection and clarity. Balance compassion with constructive feedback, guiding them towards informed decisions. By harmonizing empathy and objectivity, you'll help the executive navigate the crisis, regain control, and emerge stronger.

Empathy without objectivity is just sympathy. When you're too empathetic, you risk being drawn into the emotional whirlwind, which blurs your ability to provide objective guidance. Empathy is crucial, but not at the expense of clarity. The best coaches know when to step back and challenge the executive to view the situation logically, not just emotionally. You can’t help someone if you're caught in their emotional storm. Your value comes from being able to both feel and guide. Empathy alone won’t solve the problem - it’s the balance with objectivity that leads to results.