The Loyal Lieutenant

FOR THE LOYAL LIEUTENANT @ WORK OPPORTUNITY FOR COACHING Carlos is at a crossroads because the loyalty that makes him dependable has also conditioned him to keep the machinery running quietly—even when the machinery itself needs attention. He often sees the gap between leadership intent and operational reality earlier than most, yet his instinct is to smooth the path rather than challenge the direction. What may surprise a coach is that Carlos’s challenge is not execution—it is presence and influence. To grow further, he must read the room more carefully, show the managerial courage to surface difficult truths, and develop the political awareness to align the right voices at the right time. In doing so, he can grease the wheels of decision-making without appearing oppositional. Coaching can help Carlos shift from being the reliable operator behind the scenes to a trusted strategic lieutenant—someone who not only carries intent forward but also shapes how it is understood and executed. Carlos: “I’ve always seen my job as making sure the boss succeeds and the machine keeps moving. What I want from coaching is to get better at knowing when speaking up actually helps that—because sometimes I think I hold back a little too long trying to keep things smooth.” SET THE COURSE - Strengthen his strategic voice by seeking counsel from experienced peers and trusted advisors who can help Carlos pressure-test what he is hearing from leadership against what the organization is actually experiencing. By inviting perspective before decisions are finalized, he can surface risks earlier while still honoring the leader’s intent. MAKE IT WORK - Build a small circle of operational allies—finance, HR, and senior program leads—who can share responsibility for turning direction into execution. By positioning these partners as co-owners rather than relying on his own coordination, Carlos ensures problems surface sooner and solutions move through the system with broader support. C H A L L E N G E S A N D O P P O R T U N I T I E S T O B E B E T T E R CODE NAME: Carlos Better The Deck REFER TO COACHING ROUND ONE INSTRUCTIONS