How our journey began…
Wise Goose began, as many ventures do, as a conversation over coffee between Helen Sieroda and a coaching colleague. This was in 2011 after the dramatic breakdown in corporate governance that led to the financial crisis. They were trying to answer the question “In uncertain times, what kind of coaches does the world need?” The question grew into “What would a professional, purposeful, values-led, pro-business and pro-future coach training look like?” And finally – “Why aren’t we stepping up to create it?” After over twenty years building a training institute in Scandinavia, Helen knew a thing or two about developing and delivering training programmes. She had also completed an a Masters in ‘Responsibility in Business Practice’ that challenged traditional ideas about where leadership and responsibility begins and ends and so, from small beginnings Wise Goose was born.
Since then, Helen has secured Institute of Leadership approval and Association for Coaching accreditation for the programmes, assembled a world class team, expanded from Devon into London and Scotland and created a range of ‘custom-made’ in-house coaching courses for organisations alongside her work as a coach and coaching supervisor.
The Wise Goose Team
Our training is delivered by a skilled, enthusiastic team who bring a curious, wondering, mindful presence to the work of bringing out the best in others. With unique strengths and diverse styles, they all work with a range of clients and organisations in the real world.
Wise Goose is a member of the Association for Coaching and can guarantee that any employee, associate or anyone else acting on our behalf as a coach or mentor is subject to and has agreed to abide by the AC Global Code of Ethics.
Helen Sieroda (Director) is an APECS (Association of Professional Executive Coaches and Supervisors) accredited Master Executive coach. Coaching and mentoring at senior levels has been a core element of her work for over 25 years. She has worked in management and undertaken a number of training and consulting roles in Sweden and the UK. She trained in psychosynthesis in the 1980s and for over 20 years was a U.K. Council for Psychotherapy registered integrative psychotherapist. Helen holds an MSc in Responsibility in Business Practice, and is a partner of Gameshift listed as one of the Financial Times U.K. Leading Management Consultants. She is core trainer at Wise Goose supported by other members of team.
‘The idea of serving worthwhile purposes is central to my work. Yes, creating individual success for clients is vitally important and to be celebrated, but holding this in a wider context and redefining success takes the work to a whole new level and deepens its relevance: A vision of coaching as serving something far deeper and wider in organisations, communities and society’ — Helen Sieroda
Dr Sybille Schiffmann comes from a creative arts background and as well as trainer, she supports Wise Goose in the role of critical friend/ Chair of Wise Goose Advisory Board. She is founder and managing director of leadership consultancy Deostara Ltd. Previously she has worked Plymouth University as a Director of Executive Education and at national Government level. She has extensive experience as a facilitator in leadership coaching programmes. Sybille has a doctorate in the field of relational leadership.
“What really attracted me to Wise Goose was their ethos and the operating principles. This is a company that really cares deeply about effectively supporting and facilitating the growth and development of others, be they coaches, individuals, or professionals seeking develop their coaching capability to work more effectively as leaders, or within teams etc. The positive impact they have on others is enormous and so this is a great privilege for me to be involved in its continued success.” Dr Sybille Schiffmann
Diana Whitmore has been involved in the field of coaching since its early days, she has created innovative coaching and mentoring programmes and teaches coaching to MSc level. She trained in Psychosynthesis with Dr Roberto Assagioli and has worked in the field of Transformative Psychology for over 35 years teaching and training internationally. She is president and co-chair of the Psychosynthesis Trust and Founder of award winning charity Teens and Toddlers and Scottish charity Growing2gether.
“I am beyond delighted to be working with Wise Goose. Few coaching programmes include this deeper level of meaning and purpose and its value for coaches – to go beyond the transactional – into areas that bring greater fulfilment , deeper self understanding and includes coaching practice with the practical skills to address them. Transformational coaching is a word that implies that our values can be expressed and that well being and fulfilment are possible within the world of work, whatever we are doing as well as in our personal lives, in fact bringing them together into expression of who we essential know ourselves to be.” – Diana Whitmore
Gary King is a psychologist and director of the consultancy Create Flow, where he facilitates leadership programmes focussed on positive change and sustainability. He has a literal degree in adventure with rich experiences in expeditions, helping shape and drive his interest in psychology, experiential learning, facilitating and coaching in nature.
“When I first found Wise Goose, I immediately knew that their training was for me! I had spent a long time researching training to become a coach but never found the right fit. As soon as I read the Wise Goose website, I contacted Helen there and then and managed to get the last place on a course starting that weekend, it was meant to be! My instincts were proved correct, Helen and the team have created a community of which I feel a proud member.” Gary King
Lee Curtis has worked in the Creative industry in London for over 25 years as an artist, designer, creative director, mentor and coach. Art and culture are a core value for Lee. Appreciation of excellence and beauty is a main character strength. Creativity is at the centre of his life – Lee is always seeking the new and looking for inspiration.
The question Lee asks himself is…“ how I can adapt interesting ideas, include diverse influences and creativity into my own practice as a coach.”
Diane Pitt (in house ethicist and portfolio assessment verifyer) has been teaching Medical Ethics at postgraduate level for over fifteen years and has held research posts at the University of Hull in Philosophy and Bioethicswhile working on PhD research. She has also completed training in coaching and brings breadth and depth of experience to Wise Goose. Along with Sybille, Diane supports Wise Goose in the role of critical friend/ member of Wise Goose Advisory Board helping to prioritise our purpose, ensure we show respect for the ecosystem in which we operate, commit to equity, and sustainable and ethical practice.
Plus ‘occasional’ visiting trainers’ these friends of Wise Goose have included Josie Sutcliffe MFA, a Founding Member of Theatre 4 Business with over 30yrs experience as a theatre director, a facilitator, and trainer. An ILM certified Executive and Leadership Coach Josie has been an associate trainer and supervisor at Wise Goose for many years. Carole Bond brought her expertise in systemic thinking to Wise Goose. An environmental scientist, sustainability practitioner, marketing professional, and coach with more than 30 years’ experience working in and with businesses and organisations of all sizes and across many sectors in the UK and across Europe. Lucy Weldon brought experience in ‘Career Coaching’. Her international experience gave her a good understanding of different cultures and of working in different contexts and organisations. A member of the Career Development Institute, specialising in creating ‘sustainable careers’, Lucy has moved on into her new writing career. Simon Western Director of Analytic-Network Coaching Ltd author of ‘Coaching & Mentoring a Critical Text’ and ‘Leadership a Critical Text’; Charles Wookey Trustee and Soulla Kyriacou COO for A Blueprint for Better Business, an independent charity which works as a catalyst to help businesses be guided and inspired by a purpose that benefits society. “We challenge core assumptions about the purpose of business and what motivates people and help businesses see that they can operate in a way that benefits both business and society.”