Coaching for success with a soul
The other day a friend was quizzing me about coaching and how to go about hiring a coach. It’s a big investment of time, energy and money and going about finding the right coach can be a daunting prospect. How can you maximize your chances of getting it right? What kinds of questions to ask? What to look for? How to ensure a good ‘fit’?
Here are a few suggestions: Continue reading “How to Choose a Coach”
Recently, one of my clients described her leadership role as working in a minefield. She pictured herself in potentially hostile territory, without a map, not knowing if a bomb was inches away. A powerful image of turbulent organisational life; with economic uncertainty, rapidly changing technology, globalisation, restructuring, downsizing and good old fashioned acquisitions and mergers. All contributing to unpredictable, potentially explosive working environments, places where hidden explosives of depression, anxiety and stress can blow your life apart.
Did you know we’re in the middle of International Stoic Week at the moment?
No, well I wouldn’t have either if I hadn’t received an invitation to a workshop at the University of Exeter about how Ancient Philosophical Ethics could contribute to Modern Business a few weeks back.
I spent a fascinating couple of hours learning about Stoicism; the 2000 year old philosophy as way of life which encouraged resilience, flourishing in relationships and contributing to the common good. Continue reading “International Stoic Week: 25th Nov – 1st Dec”
In the world of coaching we often think about values as individual, personal and subjective principles that guide our way through life. But values don’t just shape individual worlds; they influence our wider world for better or worse driving society forward (or backward) impacting business, government, the economy and education. Continue reading “A Quest for Values”
Many thanks to Irene Brankin, one of the Wise Goose Team, for this guest post where she shares some thoughts about the stress, pressure and general busyness of life and talks about the theme of her next book. Irene will be speaking at the Coaching Connect event on October 11th.
We’re all so busy ‘chasing our tails’ these days especially with social media, and all the new technology that is coming out. We’re being told how much we need these things and how they are different from what we’ve got – if we use them in the first place! All pressure and more pressure. Continue reading “Stop; Breathe;Take Stock”
Many thanks to Liz Scott, one of the Wise Goose Team, for this inspiring guest post where she shares her pioneering work in bringing coaching into schools…
It was very nerve-wracking. Here I was, in front of a group of 45 pupils, (aged 9-10 years old) and I had to entertain them for the next hour. I was in a primary school pioneering a coaching skills programme with children. Continue reading “Pioneering Coaching in Schools”
New research published in the Ashridge Management Index shows that many managers (48%) don’t think enough is being done to develop the skills and experiences of younger managers. As well as specific targeting of future leaders, the report recommends that there should be higher levels of investment in learning and development for teams and senior managers. Clearly, though there have been improvements, there is still work to be done in meeting the challenge of building organisations which value learning and development and appreciate the long term positive impact it has upon the financial bottom line. Continue reading “Addressing Leadership Shortfall”
I’ve had a full week. I’m a community governor at the local primary school where I’ve spent about 12 hours since Monday. I’m also co-chair of an educational charity; that’s taken another day out of an already busy schedule. All unpaid; more than once I’ve caught myself asking: Why do I do it? After all, I also run a business and need to make a living. Continue reading “Coaching and Positive Psychology”
Last week I attended a workshop on Luminaspark psychometric profiling. I’ve always had reservations about personality profiling. I worry that people might be pigeon holed, or that profiling might filter diversity out of organisational cultures.
Luminaspark is different. It recognises complexity and diversity within the personality and so fits very neatly with the subpersonalities model from psychosynthesis which informs my work in coaching. Continue reading “Personality Profiling and Coaching”
Organisations need people who are engaged and motivated; especially during an economic downturn.
Many studies show that engaged employees are good for organisations. According to the Corporate Leadership Council, employees with lower engagement levels are four times more likely to leave their jobs. Engaged employees are also more productive and contribute more to profits. Studies found that the organizations with highly engaged employees achieved twice the annual net income of organizations with less engagement. Continue reading “Employee engagement – seven tips for success”