I had a coaching session with a mid-level engineer who has been feeling increasingly frustrated that his promotion hasn't progressed for a long time. He was unsure how to move forward.

We started by clarifying what he truly wants for himself. He realized that what matters most is clarity about the process. He cares less about the outcome itself and more about understanding where things stand and what to expect.

Next, we explored what he wants in terms of the relationship with his manager. We identified that he doesn't want to come across as pushy or overly eager towards the manager.

We then examined the interpretation he had formed around the situation. He had begun to conclude that there might be malicious intent behind the delay. By looking more closely at the facts, we identified that there could be several alternative explanations, and that his initial interpretation was one of the possible narratives.

Finally, we discussed which communication channel would work best. He chose to draft his message in writing first, based on our exploration, giving himself the space to articulate his thoughts clearly. He will then follow by a one-on-one conversation to continue the discussion in person.