Can you change your personality?

I sometimes have the sense that a client who is new to coaching is secretly hoping that I will help them change their personality. As if their current typical patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving need to be replaced by different ones.  It can be a surprise to...

Don’t do it!

I nearly mowed down some daisies last week in my hurry to get on.  The act of pausing, deciding and mowing round them produced in me a rush of exhilaration from this tiny act of rebellion.  It was a vote for what seemed important. It reminds me of the...

Beware! Role model alert!

Recently a client pointed out that, in a quest to become great at speaking in front of audiences large and small, he had studied business people who are outstanding at delivering a high impact message.  In our work together, however, he has come to realise that...

Talking ‘live’ is a radical act

Eat your heart out, Nancy Kline*. In conversation with a senior executive client this week we unpacked the personal power of the leader who picks up the phone for a brief call, even if it’s just a ‘Go ahead, you can do this!’ permission or...

The (not so) secret to being a better leader

‘There’s no way I’d have time for reflection during my day’ was one person’s somewhat scoffing reaction to a suggestion of occasionally putting 5 minutes on a timer and writing notes on, ‘How did people experience me this morning? ...