SERVICES
Leadership Development
SERVICES
Coaching
Understanding what makes a great leader
In a recent study, hundreds of people were asked what behaviour they would like from their leaders. The number one answer, more than double the next most popular response: trust. A similar number of leaders were asked the question: what do you think people need from you? The most popular answer: guidance. ​
We are in the midst of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Industries are being transformed. Competitors are emerging from places never thought of. The younger members of our workforce grew up not knowing a world without the internet.
This calls for a different type of leadership, but too often leaders are being equipped with the wrong skills (or none) and the end result is people being unhappy at work. How your manager is makes such a difference. At Timpsons, the shoe repairers and key-cutting business, they ask one question of employees annually: “How happy are you with the support you get from your boss?”
Fancy a chat about how you can develop your leaders to inspire the people who work for them?
So, what is coaching and why is it helpful?
There is often confusion about what coaching actually is, especially when people think about the context of sports coaching. You’ll have seen (and possibly experienced) the sports coach offering advice, guiding players in their game, and maybe barking instructions from the side-line. Well, executive coaching is very different.
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Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential. Coaching can be life-changing. As an executive coach, I have absolute belief that my coachees are able to find the solutions they’re looking for, but may need some help to get there. The coach doesn’t offer any of their own views or any advice. I will simply listen (often in a way that coachees say they have never felt listened to before) and find the questions that help develop a deep thinking in the individual, seeing new things and different perspectives.
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The first step in any coaching relationship is the ‘chemistry meeting’, when coach and coachee meet and establish whether both feel that working together will deliver lasting results. There’s no charge for a chemistry meeting (although a cup of coffee is always gratefully received), so do get in touch if you’d like to explore whether this feels right for you.
SERVICES
Strategy and culture
What's for breakfast?
You've probably heard of the famous quote 'Culture eats Strategy for breakfast'. It's vital that organisations foster a culture where people feel like they belong, are valued and they contribute. But they need to know what they contribute to, and so a robust, realistic and understandable strategy is vital too. Senior teams need to be able to think strategically, communicate effectively and role-model the behaviours that they want to be reflected in their culture. They need to be agile, work collaboratively for the overall aims of their business (not their function) and engage people in change.
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I often hear “Something has to change because we know things aren’t quite right, but we don’t know what”. Music to my ears.
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I support senior teams to work effectively together to develop strategies that are delivered by people who are proud to be part of organisations that have a great culture reflected in clearly identifiable values.
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With an interest in what drives behaviours (and what will lead to a change in behaviours when needed) and a strategic mindset I can help senior teams identify what is needed to develop organisations to be future-fit.
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Get in touch if you’d like to hear more about how I’ve helped senior teams. I love chatting about this stuff.