Because of the nature of my work, most of my clients require confidentiality. Therefore, all of the cases presented are real, but they do not include names of individuals or organizations. Reference contacts are available upon request.
Jacek was at a critical point in his career. After a series of promotions, he moved from managing a small team to taking on a regional leadership role within a matrix structure — full of political tensions and complex relationships. Previously, he had managed a group of specialists. Now, he was leading managers. The promotion and the need to build a new department were part of a broader structural transformation spanning several national markets.
Despite his experience and past successes, he felt he was losing ground. As he said:
“Suddenly I realized that what had worked so far was no longer enough. I needed someone to help me find my direction again.”
We met three times over the course of several weeks, complemented by short check-in calls in between. Each session brought a new layer of insight — from diagnosing and clarifying the situation, through testing new approaches, to solidifying what started to work.
It wasn’t a typical training process, but rather a dialogue that allowed Jacek to independently see what was essential, decide what to do next, and test it in practice.
We worked on clarifying priorities, managing emotions, and leading effectively in an environment where influence mattered more than formal authority.
After just a few weeks, the change was visible. The team quickly adopted the new way of working, and Jacek himself said:
“After a month, we were in a completely different place.”
He regained clarity and calm. He reorganized relationships, restored his authority, and began consciously shaping the team’s culture.
Today, he reflects:
“Many coaches offer ready-made solutions that simply don’t work in our reality. With Darek, everything was relevant, practical, and flexible. Even though he didn’t know the details of our industry, he immediately grasped the essence of the situation and helped me find the way forward.”
Promotion. Chaos. Transformation.
A new role, a larger team, a matrix structure, and pressure from all sides.
Three sessions and a few conversations that helped him regain clarity, calm, and influence.
Instead of ready-made formulas — concrete decisions, new habits, and real change in leadership style.
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dk@dk-smartmanagement.com
DARIUSZ KUROWSKI SMART MANAGEMENT
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