Where’s the Challenge?

Abstract

In Rolf Pfeiffer’s case, a manager returns to Europe from an expatriate assignment and finds he needs to work on his relationship with a particular colleague. However, the nature of the relationship changes as the case unfolds, and so does the coach’s assignment. The coach tries to engage the coachee to work on strategic issues, but the coachee keeps returning to what has now become rivalry with his colleague. The coach is concerned that instead of being expected to come up with meaningful questions, he may be expected to provide meaningful answers.