Are you a prisoner of your past? As I discussed in a previous blog, sometimes we might rely too much on the experience of a previous role when we are executing a new role. There is an equally important aspect where our unconscious memories of the past can affect our current performance. Sometimes we perform in the present based on our ‘memories of the past’. Our childhood experiences can have a marked impact on our current behaviour.

Take Fred, a senior executive. He was finding it difficult to face up to powerful male authority figures. Coaching conversations revealed that Fred had unresolved issues about still seeking the respect of his father (personal issues from the past). This resulted in Fred finding it difficult to challenge his boss (the father figure) when his role required him to give tough upward feedback.

So Fred’s behaviour was stuck in an eternal battle that stemmed from his past. On the one hand he was driven by a desire to succeed. On the other hand he found it difficult to use the behaviours that would enable him to succeed.

Once this underpinning pattern was uncovered, Fred was able to see that using the power and authority of his role was necessary in order for him to succeed.