Your Client is Up for Promotion
Here is the scenario: You have met your coachee’s boss as part of the initial diagnostic phase of the coaching engagement. You see her/him around when you are on site, and check in with her/him as agreed in the work plan for the engagement.
During these conversations, she/he tells you that the client is up for promotion, and a few conversations later, tells you that the promotion is approved…..and asks you to keep this confidential so the promotion can be announced at an all hands meeting with a great deal of flair and celebration. Meanwhile, your client has only inklings that she/he may be in line for the promotion, nothing more specific.
Should a coach keep this confidential? How would you handle this? How would you handle the next coaching assignment you take on at this company?
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Comment by Ed Drozda on 2 August 2008:
I am of the opinion that it should be kept confidential at this stage.
However, I would also advise my client’s boss that the continuing process of receiving and withholding confidential information from my client is not appropriate nor conducive to establishing a trusting, and thus, effective coaching relationship.
If the practice were to continue I would elect to terminate the engagement.
Comment by Carol Braddick on 4 August 2008:
Thanks for your posting, Ed.
Having access to confidential info that directly affects the coachee cuts across the trust in the relationship. Since this situation, I’ve been careful at this company and other companies to contract on this specific point with sponsoring managers…that if a client is “up” for something during the engagement, the client should be the one to inform me of the outcome.
In some cases, HR Business Partners who support the engagement as an internal coach may also mention future possibilities such as a promotion, or plans to nominate the coachee for a leadership program or some other high status investment. Another point to cover when getting started with the engagement, I think.
Thanks! Coaches…..let’s hear your thoughts, concerns, comments on this?!