Scrutiny

Scrutiny takes many forms.

There is the constant ranking, comparing and evaluating of staff that is common across most professional services organisations. This constant scrutiny can allow you to grow and progress rapidly but can also lead to stress and anxiety from the continual pressure. Coaching can help you get the balance right, to keep progressing without burning out and to sometimes recognise when it is time for a change.

There is the spotlight that turns on you when you are promoted to a more senior role. Here scrutiny magnifies imperfections and amplifies reactions. Behaviours that were previously a strength in someone more junior can be an issue in someone more senior; how you lead and influence people changes. Coaching helps you to think about these changes, for instance putting yourself in the shoes of those around you and thinking about how you come across.

Finally, then there is the scrutiny of people being held to account, publicly or privately, fairly or unfairly. This is a fast-expanding area where there is little support available, and the scrutiny can be almost paralyzing. Coaching can help everyone – the people raising concerns, those directly under scrutiny, those investigating – to think clearly and keep making the decisions that reflect their and their organisation’s values.