I think an act of curiosity is an act of vulnerability, and true empowerment means stepping away from power and the spotlight to let others realise their potential, rather than solving the problem for them. Share your story, preserve its integrity, and control its narrative.
““The harm is in the unwanted help or helping them when they need to figure things out for themselves. Help is the sunny side of control.””
What are the distinctions between a role-model, mentor, coach and sponsor?
- A role model is someone you look up to and aspire emulate, even though you may never have met them in person.
- A mentor is your guide by your side who supports your career development, offering advice on potential paths and obstacles. Mentors are typically volunteers and commit to your growth over time.
- A coach is short-term advisor who helps you to develop specific skills, for example, I have some executive coaching clients who come to me when they need guidance with executive presence or imposter syndrome. Coaches are usually paid professionals focused on targeted improvements for their clients (coachees)
- A sponsor is someone who mentions your name in the rooms that you may not be in, for example, they could be recommending you for choice assignments, projects, jobs, or awards. Sponsors leverage their reputation to support your advancement.
I hope this clarifies any confusion you may have about the difference between role models, mentors, coaches and sponsors.
Can you stay curious a little bit longer?
Curiosity is perhaps the most important strength we have as human beings. How can we ensure that we stay curious, empowering our leaders, our colleagues, our employees, and our employers? I think it’s important not to rush to advice giving or action - take things a little more slowly. Try asking the question, "And what else?" as it’s a way to encourage deeper thinking and exploration, allowing for a more thoughtful discussion.
““Why are we obsessed with energy when we should be obsessed with the brain”.”
We often think that we add value by leaping in and giving advice. We don't even think about it because we've been taught that as soon as someone starts talking, a part of our brain goes: 'Let me interrupt them and tell them the answer.' However, even when you have the right answer, you have to ask yourself what the appropriate leadership act is. I've learned to hold my space and allow others to figure things out for themselves. Don't give them the answer, even when you know it.
Feeling insecure or doubting yourself can differ from doubting your work. In his book “The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles,” Bruce Lipton highlights the distinction between the conscious and subconscious mind. He explains that 95% of our lives are driven by subconscious patterns. I think that while we can easily recognise these patterns in others, identifying them in ourselves is much more challenging.
““Insecurity is only a hindrance when it stops you sharing what’s in your heart.””
How do you help leaders and senior executives to be themselves if they don’t know who they really are?
Sometimes leaders and senior executives express an uncertainty about their true identity, yet they reveal it unconsciously during our conversations. In my 1:1 sessions, I reflect their thoughts back to them, and often, it suddenly “lights up” for me while they remain unaware. When you truly listen, people disclose their needs, desires, dreams, and fears. They simultaneously claim they don’t know what they want or need, nor who they really are. I think often, people are too close to their own lives to see themselves clearly as it’s challenging to view oneself from one’s own perspective. Contact me via email to book a free 30 minute discovery meeting.
Here’s a sneak preview of some of the questions I ask in my leadership development coaching sessions:
1. What will my team hold me accountable for?
2. What are the goals I have for my team?
3. How do they make decisions?
4. How do they resolve conflicts?
5. What are my personal goals as a leader?
6. How will I get results in those areas?
Contact me via e-mail to arrange a discovery meeting.
““Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.” ”
All my mentoring and coaching sessions are about real-life issues, they are not about entertainment and my friends who I have spent any significant time with, are typically ones where I can have meaningful conversations. It's a transformative journey where individuals gradually find solace in vulnerability, reaching a stage where openness becomes the norm. I think we all have the capacity to be authentic and empathetic, unfortunately, too many people hide their compassion for others. Why? Perhaps out of fear or societal pressures.
Things outside of you will not fix things inside of you if the things inside of you are broken. It’s a fallacy that achieving something outside of yourself will make you happy. For example, consider the story of Jan, who spent years chasing material success, believing it would bring him fulfilment. However, despite achieving great professional acclaim and wealth, he found himself plagued by a deep sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction. All of our problems come from within, but we persistently attribute them to external circumstances and biases. Even though I think it’s time to accept responsibility for our internal state and recognise that true happiness stems from within, independent of external achievements or circumstances. It’s important to highlight that internal factors, such as cognitive biases, emotional regulation, coping strategies, etc., all play a crucial role in how individuals perceive and respond to external circumstances, and this is supported by research in both cognitive and positive psychology. There are also external factors that can play significant roles in shaping individuals' experiences and challenges, for example, systemic injustices, environmental influences, and interpersonal relationships.
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey and make a positive change in your life?
A coach can help you with everything from career sparring to habit and lifestyle changes, offering invaluable support in various aspects of your personal and professional growth. From refining your career path to positive habits and lifestyle changes, a coach will provide expert advice and unwavering guidance towards your goals. With a coach by your side, the possibilities for positive transformation are endless! Contact me here, or via e-mail to arrange a confidential meeting.
Since my school days, I have been passionate about nurturing people's development. And as a leader, I've always been mindful of this, always thinking, 'How can I empower and encourage my employees to reach their fullest potential?' I think that it's not solely about their performance but also about their personal growth, and I use coaching tools to enhance their development efficiently. And there is also the self-awareness dimension which is crucial, as this is where I not only learn more about myself but also continue to evolve and grow.
Can you see your own blind spots?
The very notion of a blind spot means that we cannot see it ourselves, therefore, we often need an external perspective to identify them. For example, a trusted advisor, mentor or coach, somebody who can show us another set of lenses and partnerships are crucial to this journey as it’s really difficult to do this all on your own. A simple mathematics analogy, there are adders and subtracters, there are multipliers and dividers, and they are all around us - What do these people look like to you? What do you look like to them? What kind of energy are you bringing and what type of energy are you receiving? These types of journeys are much easier to take together in partnership with a coach or mentor, there is no recipe and there will be challenges along the journey. I do not have ‘a just do this solution’ as everyone is different.
As a coach I offer guidance, skill development, and accountability. Are you ready to look at your blind spots? Contact me via email arrange a short discovery meeting when you are ready for unbiased feedback,
I think coaching is such a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. By offering insights, experiences, and constructive feedback, coaches can guide coachees toward their goals and help them unlock their full potential. Here’s an example of constructive feedback…
Every leader should ask themselves these questions on a daily basis:
What did I do badly?
What did I do well?
What can I do differently tomorrow?
In my experience from living in Denmark, there is immense pride in the achievements of Danes on the international stage. Within the Danish football community, Brentford are affectionate known as the "Danish club." This recognition is owed to several key factors, for example, the presence of Thomas Frank as the head coach, a line-up boasting five Danish players in their first team squad, and the ownership of Matthew Benham, who is also Danish solidifies this connection.
Thomas Frank's dedication to constant improvement and innovation in coaching tactics has notably shaped the team's approach. It's worth mentioning that he benefits from the guidance of a leadership mentor who aids him in refining his communication, man-management, and leadership skills. This combination of factors not only contributes to Brentford's success but also reflects the Danish influence and emphasis on continuous growth and innovation in the footballing world. I think having someone in a mentorship or coaching role can make a substantial difference in one's journey toward success and fulfilment regardless of whether it's in career advancement, personal growth, skill-building, or even in maintaining motivation.
Leadership development is a critical facet of any organisation's success. While it may not be suited for every individual, those who recognise the value of leadership programs and models are drawn to companies that prioritise this aspect of personal and professional growth. Ambitious young professionals, in particular, seek out employers who provide opportunities for personal and career development as they are on the lookout for mentors, coaches, and role models who can guide them on their journey to success. In this highly competitive job market, if a company fails to address and emphasise these aspects of leadership development, they risk losing top talent to other organisations that do. Therefore, a solid leadership model and program not only attract talented individuals but also play a pivotal role in retaining and nurturing the potential of the workforce, ensuring the company's long-term growth and prosperity. I think by acknowledging the importance of leadership development, companies can build a culture of continuous learning and personal growth that benefits both the organisation and its employees.
Leadership isn't about possessing all the answers; it's about posing the right questions that challenge traditional thinking. I think that your happiness stems from a blend of enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose. If you're interested in securing an external strategic business partner and advisor for your talent development and leadership solutions, please feel free to reach out to me via email.
““Just as athletes benefit from coaching, leaders do too!””
As human beings we have two insatiable needs:
1) A desire to feel significant, and
2) The yearning to be truly understood
One of the psychological shortcuts that I use from years of experience is my trustworthiness is in equal parts empathy and expertise, conveying a message that says, “I understand you and I know what I’m talking about.” I know that it’s impossible to fully understand someone else’s experience nor can I emphasise their importance enough. People want to know that you get them or at least you are trying to get them, and if you are attempting to make the effort to step into their shoes then people will give you grace.
I think our natural disposition as human beings is self-centred, we are all wired to focus on our own needs and desires. However, the most effective way to craft meaningful communication is to change our perspective towards empathy for others. As when we are thinking about others, we are not getting that dopamine rush of self-importance and significance. Therefore, the choice of words we employ is a tangible reflection of our understanding, and when we demonstrate that we "get" someone, or that we're sincerely trying to, we begin to unlock the doors of trust. And in doing so, we signal to others that we respect and value their viewpoint, ultimately forging deeper and more meaningful connections. Contact me via e-mail for 1:1 sparring and coaching sessions.
““Dear Managers,
Your job is not to make people work harder. Your responsibility to help your team achieve their goals, let them know that their work matters, and then recognise and reward those who consistently help the team deliver timely, high quality and positive outcomes.””
I think we all have different opinions, the problem starts when we feel our opinion is worth more than what anyone else can say. Authentic leaders know they can learn a lot from those that think differently than they do. Contact me via e-mail for a confidential 1:1 session
As a subject matter expert, you possess the confidence to engage with any stakeholder, whether it's the CEO, CMO, or end-users of your product. Your expertise shields you from being outflanked in conversations with anyone, making you a trusted authority in your field. When discussing market trends and implications, your goal is to articulate the necessity for change and how it should be approached, however, merely presenting trends and potential impacts may not be enough to drive action. To inspire change, you must emphasise the critical need to act promptly, driving your clients and team members to embrace innovative solutions that can lead to success in the evolving landscape. And by conveying the urgency of the situation, you motivate people to consider and adopt alternative approaches instead of sticking to their previous practices. Are you interested in guidance for navigating market challenges? Contact me via e-mail for a 1:1 meeting or workshop for your team.
