A Coaching Session with Logan Roy

The fictional titan has a real coaching breakthrough.

LOGAN: Why am I paying you again?!

COACH: Good morning, Logan.

LOGAN: You know it was my second wife who suggested I hire a damn executive coach in the first place.

COACH: Yes, I appreciate that.

LOGAN: Well, we’re divorced now.

COACH: Yes…so what’s on your mind today?

LOGAN: You know, under certain circumstances a Lion will kill every cub in its pride.

COACH: I’m sensing some anger.

LOGAN: Anger is my oxygen! Or maybe my dopamine. Either way, of course I’m angry. Who wouldn’t be with this under-performing company and these offspring of mine.

COACH: We left our last session with you committing to “pausing.” Waiting a beat before you…

LOGAN: Respond! Right. That didn’t happen.

COACH: I see.

LOGAN: It didn’t happen because if I don’t do something, it doesn’t get done. Or if it’s done, it’s done with all the competence of a first-year MBA who’s getting a degree from YouTube!

COACH: We discussed this before. You were feeling that micro-managing wasn’t serving you anymore.

LOGAN: All management is micro-management. If you’re not micro-managing you’re out of the loop. And out of the loop is the last place I want to be. There, and Martha’s Vineyard in July when Hillary and Bill are there.

COACH: Right. And have you given any thought to your Vision? You were saying that in a perfect world, you’d sell every last asset, live simply and be a puppy breeder — Corgis, was it?

LOGAN: Frenchies! French Bulldogs. The third gift from the Gauls after Cote de Nuits Pinot Noir and Baudelaire — ol’ Chuck really knew his way around a couplet.

COACH: As you know, honoring your Vision is important. It’s a critical time for you. You’re at the level between success and freedom.

LOGAN: Freedom…

COACH: I sense you like the sound of that?

LOGAN: I do. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. To be free…

COACH: What’s a first step you can take to that freedom?

LOGAN: I don’t know, really…

COACH: Journaling has worked for you in the past.

LOGAN: Yes, I remember. A bit of stream of consciousness…

COACH: Yes.

LOGAN: Freedom…

COACH: Good.

LOGAN: Kerry! Cancel all of my meetings for the rest of the day! I’m off to the R&T! I’m gonna get naked, go for a swim…and then write about puppies!

KERRY: Yessir.

LOGAN: What a session. Am I paying you enough?

(Illustration: Minimal Wall, UK)