"Liu De" is at the end of a thirty-year-old regional sales director of a large organization. In the last day of "to create a learning organization" workshop, he privately share with us his views on the company, and hope we can give him some "opinion."

He questioned what course of study will help improve his situation. He felt that the company's staffs are only working for their own interest with their jobs, and to subsistence living. Although he did not want to do so, but from the position of looking up his job, he has no room to grow. His immediate superior is the company's general manager, relying on the relationship between royal and chairman of this sitting position. The general manager worried about my ability rather than his strong position cannot be maintained, so he against to every of my advice and repress everywhere against me!" Liu went on to say, "chairman trust him, no matter how the situation like, the chairman will never sack him. If I were to wait for him to retire, I have to retire... "Liu is considering to resign! He said, "I feel tired, I would like to change to a new environment, perhaps it would be better to change... "

After further conversation and understanding of his challenges, we found that Liu is a full of explosive talent and strive for excellence. However, in the absence of a personal learning environment and sustainable development , his work began to feel boring. Unable to overcome interpersonal problems also let him begin to feel helpless and passive. Continuous success in their work overcome new challenges for him is very important, because it will be the opportunity to prove his ability.

During the conversation, we also found that his personality is stubborn and strong, however, with good-hearted if he could slightly change his attitude, more inclusive and humility to listen to others' opinions, he will work with superiors, subordinates and other colleagues to achieve better communication and understanding. Which he will deal with the matter more effectively and will be very helpful. Liu intension for resignation is only just a temporary solution, if he does not resolve the root cause, history always repeats itself. However, it’s difficult to convince him at that time due to his obsession. We recommend that he complete this program, for further consideration. After all, no matter where a company he works for, the mastered skills to build a learning organization will help him and effect his entire life.

Liu’s learnings through the activities in the next couple of sessions gain him a lot of inspiration, he began to recognize self and that he also realize that his attitude needs some adjustment. His positive learning attitude in the classroom learning drives him to further apply his learning at work and life. One of the task is to take the initiative to communicate with his chairman. Originally, only during each reporting month outside of work the direct reports will reporting to the chairman and other than that, they basically do not communicate with the chairman. After the program, he began to find opportunities to seek more insights and advice from the chairman aside of the formal reporting. Through a more harmonious communication, chairman and general manager felt his change. As for his subordinates, all this while way Liu usually showed a serious face and hardly talk to his subordinates, he also began to appear his kindness, and care.

One day, out of his surprise, one subordinate came to him and seek Liu’s advice for his personal problems encountered in life, it has nothing to do with work. The relationship between Liu and his team are no longer like in the past with “criticism, rebuke” methods to drive people to work. He has gained trust and acceptance from the bottom of everyone’s heart. Although his majesty still make people fear of him, but they began to like him and follow his guidance instead of confront. Liu began to feel things going very smoothly at work. Team is not only being more proactive, team’s demonstrated independent decision-making ability have greatly enhance the company performance and all the trivial problems have been resolved without bordering him. In the restructuring effort and the team's increased ability to execute, he refreshed the company's unprecedented performance.

Three months later, while he were happy with the results and changed, his boss called him to the office of the Chairman. Chairman showed a smile in his serious face, said, "We found that you are not the same as before! Company is preparing to develop a new project, we want you to take responsibility of this
new company effective next month. Great effort!" Liu was promoted to the new company's General Manager! It has never been in his thought: "I will always remember what teacher James Chin said about: “Success opportunity is only present to those who are ready. I’m now the new general manager of the new company!”

Liu shared his success with us during our final coaching session for his breakthrough, we felt very proud of him and were happy to share his success together.  Instead of wine, we toasted tea for celebration.