I’m just here for a refresher

At the start of each coaching workshop I ask the participants ‘what is it you’d like to achieve from today or get out of today, so that this has been a great use of your time?’ My aim is to encourage the participants to really think about…

I’ve tried everything and they just don’t get it!

This week I have been delivering a number of introduction to coaching for leaders and managers programs (a one day program that introduces coaching fundamentals in a really practical and ‘let’s implement immediately back into the workplace’…

I don’t have time for coaching!

Two of the common things I hear when it comes to resistance to coaching is ‘coaching is too hard’ and ‘I don’t have time for coaching’! Now the first statement is easily answered for me by considering what Sir John Whitmore once told…

They say they are going to do something and then they don’t – getting around wiggle words!

A common complaint that I hear from managers is ‘they (the staff) say they are going to do something and then they don’t!’ followed by an exasperated question ‘what do you do about that?’  I can hear the frustration and most resort…

Performance development discussions or just ticking the box

So it’s that time of year again when managers need to complete the performance development discussions for their direct reports and the big theme that came through the groups that I coached this week, was rather than the discussions being…

What’s the point and why bother? Walking around with the question rather than answering it

Ok so this article might be a little bit confusing, so I will do my best to explain a phenomena that I notice often in the workplace that needs to be addressed and that is people walking around with questions in their heads that they never answer. It…

Crash Test Dummies or Coaching the Un-coachable

I’m often asked whether I have ever found a person who is ‘uncoachable’ or ‘how do you manage those people who are just uncoachable?’ It’s a really good question and I have two strong thoughts on this. Firstly, I don’t believe…

Hutchinson Port Australia – What were they thinking?

I read the news of the Hutchinson Port Australia’s sacking of 97 workers via text message and email with dismay. What were they thinking? It’s a question that I think many of ask would have asked over the last few days. The Sydney Morning…

When things don’t go to plan

The Olympic Games have caused more than a bleary eye in the workplace and for many of us it is an opportunity to watch sports we don’t normally get to see, to see champions rise to the challenge, witness a ‘come from behind’ win and cheer…

Returning to Base Camp

I recently heard a story about the journey of climbing Mount Everest. As this story was told to me, it takes a massive effort to reach the first milestone that climbers call “base camp”. From here they will attempt the next level. In most…