Leadership & Life Coaching
“It is easier to instil confidence than competence, and training designed to increase confidence without competence can set the trainee up for failure”
There are many different approaches to coaching and mentoring and numerous ways to become qualified. I did my initial coaching qualification over a decade ago with the Vistage CEO network group (The World’s largest CEO network group www.vistage.com ), I became a Chair (the only foreign Chair at the time in Malaysia) and prior to this I had been a member for eight years of an international and local Vistage Group. Vistage Groups have between 12-16 CEO’s who one day a month take a day to “work on” as opposed to “work in” their business. Each member also has a one to one coaching session with their Chair during the month.
I have had a mentor since my early twenties when what was a planned long military career ended due to injury. Having this mentor not only helped me continually reassess and realign where I needed to go professionally and personally but gave me the guidance and support only experience could give. He is still my mentor today and there is a reference to this on my LinkedIn page. If this is the first page you have come to then please review my bio also on the home page. It will help give context.
My approach to coaching is certainly not generic, is very direct and has evolved based on my own life and work experiences from schooling in British Military schools to being a national athlete to eventually managing F500 business divisions in Asia Pacific. It’s fair to say I push hard, I always have done in terms of commitment and any coaching client I agree to work with I expect the same level of commitment. As one of my clients who had previous business coaches recently commented,
“No fluff, no BS and absolutely no punches pulled however Colin gets the absolute best out of me all of the time”.
My objectives via my coaching is to see my client’s revenue increase, employee retention improve, develop effective business strategies and to execute. Finally, to ensure on a personal level the individual client grows as an effective leader inspiring their team to reach their maximum potential.
So, how does it work?
I am asked constantly and increasingly since the Covid pandemic to coach virtually. I am open to this but I prefer the initial meeting or at least once per year for the meeting to be in person. The individual sessions are one to two hours long and generally lean more to the two hours. I normally recommend one session per month and in addition I can be available for more in situations deemed critical by the client. The following is a broad outline of what is covered in each session,
Session 1
Structuring and understanding of outcome, performance and process goals. The following would be reviewed and key areas worked on monthly. I will provide feedback within 48 hours via email of key items discussed and to be worked on. As I mention in my bio I have set goals since I was 14 years old and they are a fundamental component of my coaching style.
Session 2 and onwards
- A review of the previous month’s goals, progress and where continuous focus is required. Identify what we need to work on during the current session.
- What accomplishments were achieved in the last month?
- What do you feel fell short in the last month?
- A debrief on 2 & 3 and tactical discussion on how to take advantage of 2 and realign strategies for 3.
- Opportunity – Identify what is the most beneficial opportunity your company has sight of (or you individually).
- The prayers meeting : In British Military intelligence this is a session in which command assess the effectiveness of executed operations and key personnel. For Leadership coaching I do the same and we evaluate on an ongoing basis the effectiveness of your direct reports. We discuss and agree strategies on how to maximise potential and having managed a geographic area from India to Japan to New Zealand I have been through the mill from an experience perspective myself. We now live in a world where younger personnel often strive for short term gratification and what maybe considered “longer term” career goals are not a priority. This presents major challenges for leaders striving to increase employee retention and business effectiveness. For individual clients we modify this to discuss individuals who can impact positively or negatively your drive to reach your defined goals.
- Decompression : Post the Covid pandemic has brought some complex challenges. As large corporates returned to the office they experienced staff challenges from those who adjusted to working from home and indeed levels of anxiety, mental fatigue and indeed even forms of PTSD. Leaders of businesses too face significant stress and in a complex world that often requires faster decision making than ever before is increasingly so. Many executives face severe burn out and as leaders can also push their teams to a break point too (not to mention family life). We need to identify when, where and how this happening both personally and within a work environment and I will guide you to understand the concept of decompression.
Coaching from both parties is a commitment. I limit the number of clients I have. My coaching services are completely confidential. I will never share any of my clients’ names or information unless with your consent I am asked to do so. Coaching is an investment in time, it’s an ultramarathon not a jog round the neighbourhood. I require ideally a commitment of 6 months from all clients post the first session. This in turn ensures you will ritualise the disciplines learned which in turn will result in long term life enhancing benefits in both your professional and personal life.
DECISION TIME!
So, are you ready for the grand adventure of business expansion? Let’s strap on our boots, map out the route, gather the squad, and embark on a journey that will take your business to thrilling new heights!
Start a Project
Get the ball rolling by reaching out to us, and we’ll set up a complimentary meeting to dive deep into your needs. No strings attached, just a friendly chat to ensure we’re on the same wavelength!