Coaching case - Chrsitine's experience (B)
Maria, a highly skilled engineer and product manager, successfully built her career in a multicultural environment in London. After facing redundancy due to corporate restructuring, she accepted a senior role at a deep-tech start-up in Germany, where language barriers, cultural differences, and remote work arrangements created unforeseen challenges. Initially enthusiastic, Maria soon encountered difficulties in effectively communicating her ideas during technical meetings held predominantly in German. Her self-confidence waned as she struggled to assert herself, felt overlooked by colleagues, and experienced growing anxiety, especially during high-pressure presentations. The relentless pace of the start-up environment, combined with linguistic limitations and the loss of informal support networks, further amplified her feelings of isolation and inadequacy. The case examines how coaching helps uncover and harness the personal resources needed to address pressing issues.
What material is included in this case:
Description
Maria, a highly skilled engineer and product manager, successfully built her career in a multicultural environment in London. After facing redundancy due to corporate restructuring, she accepted a senior role at a deep-tech start-up in Germany, where language barriers, cultural differences, and remote work arrangements created unforeseen challenges. Initially enthusiastic, Maria soon encountered difficulties in effectively communicating her ideas during technical meetings held predominantly in German. Her self-confidence waned as she struggled to assert herself, felt overlooked by colleagues, and experienced growing anxiety, especially during high-pressure presentations. The relentless pace of the start-up environment, combined with linguistic limitations and the loss of informal support networks, further amplified her feelings of isolation and inadequacy. The case examines how coaching helps uncover and harness the personal resources needed to address pressing issues.
Learning Objective
This case is designed to prompt class discussions on cross-cultural communication, managing career transitions, and strategies for overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers within international work settings. Participants will explore the psychological dimensions of leadership in unfamiliar contexts, focusing on confidence, assertiveness, and resilience. Additionally, the case highlights the critical role coaching can play in supporting professionals through complex transitions and the importance of maintaining clear personal and professional identities amidst uncertainty. This case is particularly suited for courses or programs in international management, cross-cultural leadership, executive coaching, and organizational behaviour. Participants will gain valuable insights into the nuanced challenges faced by professionals operating in multilingual environments and the importance of proactively managing self-confidence and stakeholder relationships.
Leave your rating
"Coaching case - Chrsitine's experience (B)"
Register for free with IESE Publishing and enjoy all the advantages
What type of account do you want to create?
Choose account type
Professors
Academic Institutions
Companies
Individuals