We recently asked valued client of REAL. Leadership Darina Štyriaková, CEO of ekolive, to provide some feedback on the leadership coaching that she had received from Steve, founder of the REAL. Leadership Consultancy. The insights that she shared, and the value that she received from the coaching we wanted to share with our whole community. For those of you still wondering if leadership coaching would be valuable, please continue reading, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves!! Thank you Darina!

Question One: What were your leadership challenges before you worked with Steve?  

Among the various challenges, one stood out that made my leadership role difficult: dealing with family members and friends in the team at my startup.

Question Two: What results did you get from working with him?  

Steve showed me how I have to approach these leadership situations that are difficult for me, on the one hand for myself, conceptually and mentally, and on the other hand executively, in my daily dealings with my employees.

Question Three: What has been the impact on your team and/or organisation as a result of working with Steve?  

Based on Steve’s instructions, I first defined and described the roles in our start-up, then developed an organizational concept and, on the one hand, clearly assigned the existing employees to the respective roles and, on the other hand, identified the existing deficits (which I am now trying to close). The role assignment has made it easier to work with the team or the respective employees because we are now able to define mutually accepted individual goals that should serve as a guideline for each individual’s actions and commitment.

Question Four: What exactly did you like most about working with him?  

Steve gave me very well-founded, well-considered feedback that I could understand and encouraged me to reflect on my own… that convinced me and helped me a lot.

Question Five: Why would you recommend this to someone who might be on the fence?  

Based on my own initial uncertainty, if not reserve, I can only point out how much Steve managed to captivate and convince me during his coaching. This can help everyone.

Question Six: What was your main concern that would have prevented you from committing to this, such as cost or ROI, and what put your fears to rest? 

My initial reserve was actually based on the fact that I found myself in the vicious circle: too many tasks that depend on myself, not enough ability to lead the team in such a way that tasks are permanently taken over from me, therefore too much worry, not having time for “something like that” … 

Question Seven: If you were to recommend Steve to your best friend, what would you say? 

Get involved with Steve…it’s worth the time.

Question Eight: What made you choose this over anything else you could have done?  

The realization – albeit reluctant – that I have to break out of the vicious circle.

Question Nine: What are three benefits you’ve experienced as a result of working with Steve?  

=> Role definition for my team

=> Structuring activities and responsibilities

=> Improved willingness to differentiate between personal and professional concerns regarding team members

Question Ten: What surprised you the most or made you the happiest about working with Steve 

That in the end I realized how important and helpful such coaching was and is for myself.

Question Eleven: What is one word you would use to describe Steve’s coaching style?   

Empathic

#leadershipskills #lessonsinleadership #leaderchat #leaders #leadershipdevelopment #leadership