“Good morning Coach B,” the message from a middle manager began. “You are indeed an Iconic legend in our generation. I am a beneficiary under your Coaching.”
The journey of coaching rarely follows a straight path. This manager’s reflection illuminates the delicate art of guiding someone who initially resists the very guidance they need.
“Initially I wanted to have my way but later I came to appreciate your discipline.”
These words capture the essential paradox of coaching reluctant high performers. Their resistance isn’t merely stubbornness—it’s often the protective response of someone who has succeeded through self-reliance. The reluctance to surrender control becomes the very barrier to their next level of growth.
The breakthrough moment came through seemingly small corrections: “My confidence level went a notch higher after you corrected my slides.”
What appears as technical feedback—restructuring presentations, refining messaging—actually serves as the bridge to deeper transformation. The slides become the neutral territory where trust can be built before venturing into more challenging terrain.
At Nova, we recognize that coaching reluctant apprentices requires patience, precision, and the wisdom to know when to push and when to pause. The manager’s journey from resistance to appreciation demonstrates that the most impactful coaching often begins with the most hesitant participants—where initial reluctance gives way to the profound realization: “Coach my present level in my career at my division I owe it to God and you.”
