Leadership Coaching for
Sustainable Success
"What
counts is not only what leaders do and how they
do it,
but the inner place from which they operate"
C O Scharmer, Illuminating
the Blind Spot of Leadership
Coaching
provides the opportunity for executives and managers to get
direct, personal and focused guidance, teaching and support
in the development of their leadership capability as they tackle
their real leadership challenges in improving performance.
For many
leaders it is developing their ‘character’ and
the whole range of personal and interpersonal skills that make
it up, that is the key to unlocking more of their leadership
potential: their creativity and imagination, their emotional
flexibility, their capacity for building relationships and
for taking decisive and courageous action.
As coaches
at The Wisdom Meme we bring many years experience as senior
managers and leaders in a wide range of organisations. More
importantly, however, we are on our own journeys of self-discovery
and deep personal development and so 'practice what we preach'.
Foundations of our Coaching Style
The
client is a whole person complete with a vast amount of natural
talent
and potential.
We are not about ‘fixing’ people
but helping them develop and release what is already there. Each
of us is on our own learning journey and there is no blame or
judgment about where we are on that journey.
- We work
with the whole person. It is not possible, in our view, to separate
who we are from what we do. While the focus may be leadership
in the workplace, we will often explore elements of body, mind,
emotion and spirit and how they are impacting all aspects of
the client's life.
- The client decides what they want to achieve. As coaches we
do not set the agenda but help the client to look beneath the
presenting issues to be really clear what outcomes they desire.
- The coach is not the expert. We don't prescribe solutions and
the best results come when the coach and client acknowledge
their interdependent relationship and use this as a source
of power and learning.
Our Approach
Each coaching relationship is individual. The approach and design
evolves as client and coach understand more of what is needed
to produce the desired results. We do have a range of tools and
practices that we draw on.
At the intake stage we will establish a clear Coaching Contract
for agreement and signing. We will also undertake an Expectations
Exchange so both client and coach are really clear about what
they can expect and not expect of each other. Depending upon
the agreed needs, other tools may include:
- Present
Condition Assessment
- Purpose and Direction Identification
- Life Territory Mapping
- Personal Balance Mapping
- Work and Life Assignments
Throughout the relationship, we will introduce practical tools
and techniques and reading materials. Assignments will be a key
element of the coaching project to ensure that new learnings
are translated into new behaviours.
Outcomes of Coaching
1. Sustainable Excellent Performance
We aim, where ever possible, to agree high measurable standards
by which the client, and their organisation, can assess the
outcomes of the coaching.
2. Self-Observation
Because of the coaching process, the client is more able to observe
when they are performing well or not. They learn to make the
needed adjustments to their behaviour without depending upon
the coach.
3. Self-Learning
The coaching process helps people to learn how to learn. So the
process of improvement continues when the coaching project
is complete.
Coaching Formats
We design the coaching programme format to meet the availability
and location of each client. We recommend a minimum four-month
project with regular face-to-face meetings and/or communication
through an online enviroment such as a forum or weblog.
Contact with
the client will usually be made every week and, as well as face-to-face,
can be by telephone or email. The coach will be available for
telephone or email at other times to provide additional support
and guidance when needed.
Top
Testimonials
"Mike and I first worked together five or more
years ago. I
had asked the University to provide some coaching support in
my role as a senior manager. We worked together for three
months; I found the experience transforming. My attitudes
to the University and to my colleagues both senior and junior
altered markedly. I am, I think, justly proud of some major
achievements in shaping the strategy and direction of the University
over the last five years. My perception is that I would
not have been able to bring these changes about had I not had
Mike’s coaching.
"More recently, Mike has helped my team
see its way through a complex project. His advice and encouragement
were well-received by all the team and the outcome was positive.
"Mike’s approach is challenging
and demanding of thought and attention. It is also of
the utmost integrity and discretion. I
have trusted Mike with some deeply personal information and feelings
and have delighted in seeing this trust rewarded in pragmatic
advice and practical outcomes." University Dean
"My work with Mike Bell
has produced immediate benefits. I now have a clearer sense of what I
am aiming to achieve and how best to direct my energy. As a result I
feel more in control of my work and less subject to frustration and stress.
I would recommend Mike to anyone trying to gain some perspective on their
organisational role and who wants to better direct their creative potential
in the workplace".
©
The Wisdom Meme 2008
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