By Stephen Newton (MC03)

Robert Middleton at Action Plan Marketing, based in California, has just posted an article of mine on his blog.  It is on the topic of business referrals.  It can be found at http://www.actionplan.com/blog/241-referral-errors.  The article links to the website for my forthcoming book “The Professional’s Guide to Business Development” (www.professionalsbusinessdevelopment.com). I hope you find it useful.

By Dena Arstall (BC11)

Last month, I made the difficult decision not to apply for a senior board position in the racing industry. It was a position I had aspired to and for which I was qualified. Moreover, someone, who I hugely respected in the selection process, had suggested I put my name forward. What was stopping me send in an application at the very least? I decided to examine my motives in a broader context.

Recently, I attended a ‘Women in Racing’ meeting. The topic of women on boards had been addressed, along with the failure of the industry to recognise the skills a woman can bring to the boardroom. Perversely, many of the best conversations between women take place in the sanctuary of the Ladies’ cloakrooms and many truths are expressed in these unofficial meeting rooms. A few of the incumbents were discussing the event and seemed demotivated by the boardroom discussion.

“Why do senior women assume that all women want to be on flipping boards?” Cubicle 1 exclaimed

“I agree. I just came to share ideas and meet other women in the industry”, Cubicle 2 rejoined

“I am not here to fill quotas”,  articulated Cubicle 3 over the drone of the hand dryer.

I now had reason to consider these sentiments. What did I really want? It is a question that coaching clients often ask and needs careful unpicking.I decided, on reflection, I was trying to serve the racing industry. Taking this position might achieve this but was it suited to my skillset? I re-read the executive description and decided not. I also formed the impression that the role was neither creative nor expansive and might not exist in two years time. Was this what I was aspiring to?

I reminded myself what made me interested in applying in the first place. One answer is that I was flattered to be considered a potential candidate… not a basis for a decision. More important, perhaps, was the fact that I had been asked. This gave me a certain obligation to consider the role. This obligation was intensified by my knowledge that the Davies Report would put an onus on this employer to hire a woman candidate if possible. I realised i was fulfilling a gender obligation: namely as a suitable candidate I had a duty to apply. This disturbed me. My ambitions, unconsciously, were being gender motivated. I felt, I should apply despite having logical and instinctive reasons for not doing so. Indeed, I would have to stand off existing committees that were important to me and which satisfied my wish to help the industry I cherish. Increasingly, I am finding with coaching clients, there are current gender expectations of women that push them into accepting roles they are unsuited to and do not want. I was now experiencing this first hand.

To be authentic and get the most out of a role, you must genuinely want it. Do not accept it because of a feeling of obligation that will be articulated by the words,” I should do it”. I sit on racing committees and boards because of a genuine desire to make a difference in an industry I care about. That same desire gives me license to relinquish roles I am not suited to in any other way than being a women. To follow a blind pursuit of the boardroom, not only demeans my aspirations, but those of women in general. We can all become pawns on boards, but self awareness will ensure that we play at a higher level.

 by Frank Neale (MC08)

I suspect we all find summer holidays to be a good time for a spot of quiet reflection away from the office. Whilst I was away a friend asked me, “What are the common themes of your coaching?” This set me thinking and I thought I would share the results, just in case they strike a chord with you.

1. Inner confidence: Whilst most people in our industry show outer confidence they do not always feel it inside and this can hold them back. Whatever the specific coaching goals most of our clients feed back to us that they feel more confident in themselves after the coaching mainly, we suspect, because of their greater self awareness and understanding of others and as a result of reframing situations. They also feel more energised.
2. Presence/gravitas: This comes up a lot, particularly with mid level professionals as well as newly appointed portfolio company directors. Using a simple model of leadership presence most of our clients get feedback from their sponsors that their presence has significantly improved.
3. Listening skills: The most common shortfall almost all of our clients, and probably the world in general, is relatively underdeveloped listening skills. Using Nancy Kline’s “Time to Think” we find that improved listening is often a significant factor in our clients achieving their goals.
4. Interpersonal relationships: During the coaching conversations it often emerges that our clients have a difficult relationship with someone on their team; often their boss, of course! Through the use of instruments such as Myers Briggs, reframing situations and uncovering self limiting beliefs the client is usually able to see the relationship in a new more workable light.
5. Moving on up: Clients often come to realise that what got them to where they are today may not serve them well in their future path. Within the private equity profession this is often about becoming more of a team player rather than a dedicated pursuit of their own brand. Similarly newly appointed chief executives learn that humility and vulnerability can be very useful in their new role whereas up until now they have generally masked such traits thinking them to be potential weaknesses.
6. Importance of good feedback: People who are willing to engage in coaching are keen to receive feedback as this is how they learn. Throughout the coaching process we encourage sponsors to give positive feedback when they notice changes in behaviour that the client is seeking to attain. Even more valuable is the feedback clients give themselves by keeping a self reflective learning journal.

By Laurence Bridot (MC2009)

Global Coaching workshop - delivered by Philippe Rosinski, global leadership expert and author

London, UK: 25 November 2011, 9h30-12h30 at Imperial College, Exhibition Road, London SW7

Global Coaching – Fostering sustainable and meaningful success through a multiple-perspectives approach

Traditional coaching is still too often characterized by a binary, static and fragmented approach, more and more insufficient in our turbulent and interconnected world. Global coaching proposes to enrich traditional coaching, taking our complex reality into account. It is a holistic approach, calling upon multiple perspectives (physical, managerial, psychological, political, cultural and spiritual) both for choosing meaningful objectives and for effectively reaching them. Global coaching is for leadership, team and organizational development, to serve multiple stakeholders and the world at large.

In this session, you will discover an ambitious vision for our profession, as well as alternative ways and tools to effectively coach from multiple perspectives.

Participants will receive a complimentary copy of Global Coaching, Philippe’s latest book.

Entry fee: £40

Philippe Rosinski’s pioneering work in bringing the crucial intercultural dimension into the practice of coaching has won him worldwide acclaim. He is the author of Coaching Across Cultures and Global Coaching. The first European to be designated Master Certified Coach by the International Coach Federation, Philippe is principal of Rosinski & Company and a professor in Tokyo and Prague. For more information, visit www.philrosinski.com and www.globalcoaching.pro .

Program:
09:00 Welcome
09:30 Workshop
12:30 Organic Lunch
14:00 End

Location: Imperial College, Exhibition Road, London SW7, Tube: South Kensington

and announcing the upcoming …

Leading and Coaching Across Cultures Seminar

Certification Cultural Orientations Framework

Delivered by: Philippe Rosinski

Date: London, UK: 25 – 27 April 2012

Brochure and enrolment form will be soon available on www.philrosinski.com

Please register your interest for the workshop on 25 November 2011 and or the seminar on 25-27 April 2012 by e-mail to laurence.bridot@philrosinski.net

By Linda Wooston (BC2004)

Last year I participated in a Meyler Campbell fishbowl where I was coached by Nancy Kline in front of 50+ of the Meyler Campbell network. I only said yes as I knew it was something that terrified me, though I did know I would be in good hands with Nancy. I wondered afterwards what the session looked like to the observers, when at one level so little happened then at another so much happened. It was a real turning point for me.  I decided to go for a big topic that was on my mind but had no idea where I was going to go with it. Right until the last moment I was debating in my head whether I should go for something safer like my role as Master of Ceremonies at my niece’s forthcoming wedding . I’m glad I took the bigger question of my role in bringing about world peace and what more I could do. I know – it was big ask for a 50 min coaching demonstration……… Through Nancy’s incredible attention and seemingly simple questions I had many insights and went on to put many of the thoughts I had that evening into practice. The context to “world peace” is that a couple of years ago I heard Jeremy Gilley speak, the founder of Peace One Day, I cried as I listened to him as I sat at a table full of strangers. I was so moved that I wrote to him. As a result I have been coaching him ever since. (He is happy for it to be known that we work together).

You can see him telling his story in a TED talk that went on line this http://www.ted.com/talks/jeremy_gilley_one_day_of_peace.html

One of a number of things that came out of the fishbowl for me was the connection to the Olympics. Peace One Day is  going to be an integral part of the cultural Olympiad, and on Peace Day this year (September 21st) Jeremy will be announcing the goal of a global ceasefire and a 70% reduction in violence on September 21st 2012. It’s a big goal. Brazil will carry forward the message of peace in to the 2016 Olympics. I hadn’t realised as I thought /  talked about it that the watching audience could see the BT Tower circling over my head out of the window with the countdown to the Olympics in bright lights. What struck me in the fishbowl was that activities would take place on Peace Day all over the world, from humanitarian activity, to football games, dance, music and so on. What about in the shadow of the Olympic stadium? Where post code gangs meant that many were living in fear, young people wouldn’t cross a postcode boundary for a job for fear of violence.   So as a result of the spur of the fishbowl, I arranged a cup of tea with Jeremy,  the Head of Youth and Children’s work at Community Links and the Community Links co- Founder. Community Links is an outstanding organisation in Newham, in the heart of the Olympic area . Some weeks later Jeremy and I found ourselves in a community centre with a group of young people and youth workers. It was fascinating, inspiring and sometimes tense. A boy called Vincent, I think about 11 yrs old, looked at Jeremy and said “it ain’t going to happen”. Jeremy told the story of Afghanistan where there has been a ceasefire on September 21st for 3 years in a row resulting in 4 million children being vaccinated safely by aid workers.  If the Taleban would agree to a ceasefire for a day surely we could do something in Newham. Vincent was resolute. It was dangerous out there, nothing would change it, people wouldn’t change. After further dialogue with Jeremy, Vincent said well…maybe we could give it a go. A few weeks later Community Links screened Jeremy’s documentary for all the children and youth workers and now every youth and children’s group across Community Links is involved in Peace One Day activities and are launching a year of peace. The young people who we met at the Community Centre are all being invited as guests to the Peace One Day concert at the O2 arena to thank them for being prepared to give peace a go.

Last week Community Links organised a ‘Peace One Day’ football tournament bringing young people from different areas together (photo). This week there were riots and the world has witnessed terrible sights in England. I’m in South Africa at the moment and everyone is talking about what’s happening in England. My hope is that the riots will strengthen the desire of the young people in Newham to bring about peace in their communities and will not be seen as young Vincent’s prediction coming true. Time will tell. In the meantime I’m glad I said yes when I was asked whether I would consider being a fish in a Nancy Kline fishbowl.

By Anne Scoular

Back in February you may remember the Christchurch earthquake which not only rocked the heart of  New Zealand but its trembles resonated within the heart of Meyler Campbell as its devastation wiped out much of NZ’s second largest city, 30,000 businesses, and dealt a deep psychological shock to the whole country and particularly the local population, still enduring “aftershocks” of 5+ – which anywhere else would count as a terrifying earthquake.  30% of the Christchurch population were left homeless. Not just NZ-born people like me, but almost all Brits, have family or friends immediately affected.

As Christchurch happened after our commitment to Ann Orton’s jump for Breast Cancer Research, we vowed that once her 20k target was met, we would see how we could possibly help Christchurch in varying ways such as ‘coaches for Christchurch’. Our initial aim is to spread awareness about the continuing plight of the citizens of Christchurch. This is Glenda’s story..

On Monday 25 July, Christchurch woke to a 22cm covering of snow – the thickest blanket experienced by the city since 1992.  With the coldest July temperature since 1918, the coating settled … and the city came to a halt.  Police advised people to stay home, businesses stayed closed, and the school children – already on holiday – enjoyed a winter wonderland of glistening snow.

A snow which created slippery sidewalks, covered cracks, hid potholes, and made for a freezing trek to the nearest portaloo.  Because, yes, Christchurch is still very much a broken city with 5000 Christchurch homes now in a designated ‘red zone’ which will see those property owners receiving offers from the Government for the 2007 rateable value of their property.  The ‘purchase’ of these properties – if the offers are taken up – will cost the Government between $485m and $635m.  And while the offers are being presented as ‘options’ the ‘red zones’ will now receive ‘make safe’ only maintenance.  This ‘red zone’ area is considered unable to be re-built on for the forseeable future.

Christchurch has a population of about 376,000 – 182 died as a result of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake which hit the city at 12.51pm on 22 February 2011.  The build up to that ‘quake had been some 3,700 aftershocks since the major 7.4 magnitude ‘quake on 4 September 2010.  Now with the demolition of some 430 buildings either in progress or in the pipeline, the city still has 1800 portaloos on the streets – and Civil Defence has delivered some 41,000 chemical toilets – and the aftershock total (since September 2010) sits at some 8,000 …

Christchurch is the main centre of the province of Canterbury – well-known for being one-eyed in its support of it’s provincial rugby team and …. for being staunch.  So, on Monday 25 July, as the magic faded, the people of Christchurch – and in particular those of us in the ‘quakes hardest hit areas on the east – pulled out our shovels again.  But this time we shovelled something which was light and clean.  And we revelled in how easy the job was compared to the previous two or three times we have done this since September 2010 – when what we shovelled was a filthy grey silt which is dusty and gritty when dry, and heavy and cement-like when wet … liquifaction – a sort of physical manifestation of the underground energy of the earthquake which erupts like mini-volcanoes in backyards, under houses, and on streets … and in the worst-hit areas flowing along the streets like a river … and, with extensive damage to the city’s drainage and sewerage infrastructure, very possibly contaminated.

I hope that pulling back the curtains to such a wonderful site of clean white show glistening under a brilliant clear blue sky on a wonderful Christchurch morning held a little magic for everyone on Monday 25 July.  That for one brief moment, those still living in the ‘red zone’, or those in the ‘orange zone’ (still awaiting a decision from the Government as to whether their properties will be deemed ok for rebuilding/repair), and those in the ‘green zone’ (given the go ahead to begin their repairs) were able to escape briefly from the stress that has been inevitable in the city since that fateful morning in September 2010 when life in the ‘Garden City’ – designed so stoically to remind its English settlers of home – changed forever.

By Ann Orton – Faculty Member

Well, dear reader – I’ve made it!  As in reached my commitment to raise £20,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer before the informal deadline of 31 July (the financial year end for Breakthrough).  Thanks to the wonderful generosity of family, friends, colleagues and the broader Meyler Campbell community we’ve achieved something pretty amazing in the current climate. There are another few weeks before the skydive on 28 August (this time with a back-up date of 3 September!).  And now of course I want to raise more!  Which triggered a thought about ever developing goals:  we ask our clients to commit to goals for their overall coaching and then to define specific goals for each coaching session within the coaching programme.  But how often do or should those overall goals change?  What is our role as coach in helping clients to take on additional challenges or stretch goals as they make progress, increase self-awareness and gain insight?  What more might our clients achieve if they reach for the skies?

by Meyler Campbell

“Manager as Coach – how the world famous store uses coaching in a retail environment ”