Welcome back to the Look and Sound of Leadership, an ongoing series of executive

coaching tips designed to help you be perceived in the workplace the way you

want to be perceived. I'm Tom Henschel, your executive coach, and today

we're talking about getting growth acknowledged. I remember when I first saw John without

his beard and mustache. I'd known him for seven or eight years, and he'd always had facial hair, and then suddenly one day he didn't. It was disorienting, and I told him so.

Well, he said, at least you noticed. It was disorienting and I told him so.

Well, he said, at least you noticed. Most people have no idea what's changed.

They keep asking if I've lost weight.

For months after that, I was aware of making a mental adjustment each time I saw him.

Oh, right, I'd remind myself. He shaved.

It was a long time before the new clean-shaven John was imprinted in my head.

The same thing played out recently at one of the world's largest food packaging and distribution

companies.

I'd been coaching Todd, the chief information officer, for months.

He was the classic example of someone who, when asked the time, would give a lesson on watchmaking.

His boss, Richard, the CEO, had asked him to work on one professional development issue.

Be concise.

During our coaching, Todd developed a new more concise style,

but had gotten no feedback yet from Richard.

My guess was that Richard had benefited from Todd's new behavior, but like John's clean-shaven face,

Todd's change was going unnoticed.

During a phone call with Richard, I raised the issue. I'm experiencing Todd is more succinct these days. I told Richard, I wonder what your experience is.

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