If you’re anything like me, ticking things off a to do list is one of the most satisfying parts of the day. But am I doing the right things, the things that will be most effective in getting me the meaningful results I want, the ones that will truly help me flourish? A lot of…
I’m kicking off my 12 Days of Books with a new edition rather than a new book: the Financial Times Guide to Business Coaching, 2nd edition, just has to be in here. The first edition was a pivotal book for me, written at a pivotal time in my life. In the interests of full disclosure,…
Following on from my productivity post last month, in this post I want to share my thinking on a new development framework I’m working on, called SPACE to grow. Many of us have a sense that we could do better. We feel we could achieve more, be more focused, have more productive working relationships, make…
The inspiration for this post was in a chemistry meeting with a new coaching client, who asked: ‘In your experience, what do clients find the most difficult thing about coaching?’. Great question! It stopped me in my tracks and got me thinking. And of course, it depends … On the individual client, their organisational circumstances,…
‘How can I know who I am until I see what I do?’ Karl Weick, social psychologist The title of Herminia Ibarra’s new book captures its key message: if you step up and behave like a leader, you will start to think and feel as if you are one. Even if acting like a leader…
Do you make your bed in the morning? If you do, that’s good. If you don’t – yet – starting to do so could make a drastic difference to your clarity of mind. Sounds trivial, and yet in her extensive research into the habits that work for us, and against us, Gretchen Rubin, author of…
At first glance, photography and coaching may seem poles apart. But since talking to professional photographer John Cassidy, and experiencing a studio shoot with him, I’ve been reflecting on the parallels between the two. Here are five things that I think great photographers and coaches both do.
The chance to see the incomparable Nancy Kline in action for a second time in a Meyler Campbell fishbowl demonstration was one I’d been anticipating for some time. She didn’t disappoint. It’s almost impossible to describe what goes on when Nancy sits in front of someone, gently asks them what they think, or feel, or…
‘I don’t play golf and therefore couldn’t give a technical instruction even if I wanted to. But the golf coaching that I give is pretty successful.’ This amusing and at the same time amazing quote captures the style of this book, which combines a sense of fun with being a committed champion of the power…
‘Create a particular environment and people will think for themselves. It is that simple.’ This statement encapsulates the underlying precepts of Nancy Kline’s Thinking Environment, elaborated in her marvellous book, Time to Think, which has become a classic of non-directive coaching. I make no apologies for beginning this review by saying I love this book….