Research Paper: I Want to Change My Job

Research Paper By Jayant Vishnu
(Executive Coaching, Transformational Coaching, INDIA)

Case background

Look for a suitable opening for me; these were the first few words Nitin spoke to me when we met after 3 years gap. This actually shocked me as I remember him very positive and happy when I last met him, just after his marriage. He was posted in a small city in south India and appeared very happy and engaged with the organization.

Nitin comes from 4 member family; he is 3 years younger to his sister. Nitin’s father is working with a private construction firm and has been involved in construction of many dams mainly in very remote parts of country.

Nitin as a person is very nice (as defined by traditional Indian families), he would never get into any altercation, a complete teetotaler and always takes care of the people around him. He is also the one who would not assert his demands and would try to manage some how with what ever is available.

Coaching Conversation

I said “can we have a coaching conversation about it, I am all there to listen to you, and what ever we are going to talk will remain between us, also do not expect any solution from me as you are the one who has all the answers and can act on them, we will have to talk every month approximately for an hour till you like”[1]. Nitin started talking about how small is this place called “satara” and how difficult is the life there. I said “I can understand after getting married and having a child, priorities and requirements do change, as I remember earlier you were happy”[2]. He agreed to this and started talking about how difficult it is to get a good pediatrician and there is no shopping complex or multiplex for a family outing. After 10-12 mins he also said – you know even in the regional office no knows or acknowledges what you have done professionally, so now I need to quit and move on.

After listening to him my question was “Are you running away from your current situation or you are running towards a new situation?”[3] and then I kept quite. There was a long silence disturbed by “I think this is running away” nitins voice was deep; I saw him thinking and reflecting in his mind. This I felt was the right time to apply GROW model and now was the right time to go deeper in the conversation – “You have expressed clearly what you do not like about being in a small place which is far away from the regional office, now can you also list down what are you looking for in a place where you would like to spend may be next 5-10 years” and I handed him a notebook and a pen. At this point I saw him going in to deep thinking, he took 15 mins. He listed 12-13 things in his wanted list.[4] I requested Nitin to also put down his realities personal-professional both, he again took 15 mins but he was very detailed in his analysis and also considered his wife’s (Highly educated) career and daughters (almost a year old) education.[5] Great work done and I appreciated Nitin for the detailed understanding of his realities.[6]

Now it was a good time to get him in action and my question was “Have you spoken to your Boss about these points”? No, I should not discuss these things in the professional set up, he reacted. Why, whats wrong in doing so, as you are planning to quit the organization because of these reasons, and as you have almost made up your mind why don’t you give it a shot? Nitin appeared little uncomfortable, changed his posture and after some time said – I think I should talk to my boss about it. Great and when do you plan to do so? He inquired should I write a mail about it? I asked him whats wrong in face to face conversation, especially when you are so well prepared with your goal and realities? This assured Nitin a little but he still appeared a little uncomfortable doing it.

I decided to get into options now, and asked “what are the possibilities if you seek an appointment of tomorrow to discuss?” Nitin wondered, he would either say – yes or may say sorry I would not like to discuss it. If he says yes that’s what you want and if he says no – that’s where you are at this point of time – so you do not have any thing to loose. Nitin agreed to it.[7]

I wanted to develop commitment so I asked him to talk to his boss and seek an audience for tomorrow. Nitin opted to send a text in place of talking.

His boss immediately called back – what is it about. Nitin – This is about few personal and professional issues I am facing. Boss invited him for dinner at his home, which Nitin happily accepted; this was a great confidence booster for nitin.

We spent next hour discussing different options available at the regional office and the impact of each one on Nitins career and also what he would like to work on at this point of time. In an hours time Nitin was all set for the dinner with complete charge of his future plans, personal as well as career[8].

That night Nitin returned all happy any excited about shifting to the regional office.

Client Insight / Action Plan

Next morning tea time Nitin asked me, is this what you mean when you spoke about “Reacting Vs. Responding”? He also talked (reflected) about how people will understand what he is going through unless he expresses. I saw him promising himself that he will always express and check with the concerned people in place of making assumptions.

Coach Learning

I learnt the power of active listening and impact of powerful questions. There is a lot of merit in letting the client reflect and ponder on what he/she can do in the given circumstances to achieve his/her Goals. I as a coach also learnt about the power of silence.