Career Coaching: General Manager Role

This role play case follows the case "Darcy Gallagher: Performance Coaching Discussion." You are the new general manager of the Elmwood Group and four weeks ago you conducted a performance review with your direct report, Darcy Gallagher, who is a sales manager, and outlined three leadership gaps that Gallagher needed to address. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss Gallagher's career aspirations at Elmwood Group. In advance of your meeting, Gallagher has submitted his career development plan to you and he aspires to be a vice-president at Elmwood, which is unrealistic. In this career coaching discussion, Gallagher needs a reality check about his career plan, and his capability and motivation to develop the strong skills in leading and developing people that are required in leadership roles.

This case has three teaching objectives: 1) to hone skills in planning for and conducting a career coaching discussion with a previously exceptional performer who has an unrealistic timeline for his career progression and the leadership competencies required; 2) to assess responses to the career coaching situation; and 3) to gain insights into how to build a realistic career path with a high potential leader who is derailing.