Articles and Insights

We often learn by reading and understanding the thoughts of others. In this section we have put together a few articles and insights that we feel may be interesting.

As an Executive Coach and a Trustee at the Edinburgh International Book Festival I am often asked for book recommendations, for inspiration and pleasure. Here are my favourite reads right now:

Man's Search for Meaning

by Viktor E Frankl. A compelling account of Frankl's time in a Nazi concentration camp, remarkable for his assertion that "Those who have a 'why' to live can bear almost any 'how'", and the resultant inspiration of the power to choose one's attitude.

The Coaching Habit

by Michael Bungay Stanier. A must-read book for managers and leaders as well as coaches, explaining how to better lead your teams through simple coaching habits. I wish I'd read this years ago!

Tiny Habits

by BJ Fogg. This book sets out a different approach to creating lasting behavioural change which contends that the key is starting small and making it feel good. I was sceptical at first but found it a compelling read.

Rebel Ideas

by Matthew Syed. An easy read with a strong logical argument (and great stories) that diversity in how we think is essential for solving complex problems. I could not agree more!

When the Dust Settles

by Lucy Easthorpe. Eastthorpe's memoir of her experiences as a disaster manager, planning for and dealing with natural and manmade disasters, is gripping, insightful, compassionate, and (darkly) funny.

Invisible women

by Caroline Criado Perez: a genuinely eye-opening exposure of data bias and its impact on gender (in)equality. So many nuggets you'll want to quote to family and colleagues!

How women rise

by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith: tackling 12 behaviours which can hold us back in our careers - an easy and insightful read with solutions to reform bad habits.

The Culture Code

by Daniel Coyle: I've long been fascinated by the impact of Culture on organisations and I learn best from books which marry theory with case studies. So I found Coyle's combination of science, stories and actionable insights highly readable.

Turn the Ship Around

by L David Marquet: the true story of how the Santa Fe was transformed from the worst to best in the US Navy fleet by challenging the traditional leader-follower approach - an inspiration for all leaders.

The 100 Year-Life

by Lynda Gratton & Andrew Scott: in this age of longevity, how do we rethink our education, career, finances and relationship to create a fulfilling 100-year life.

Let me know what you think of these suggestions and share your own - I'm always looking for the inspiration and sheer enjoyment which great books can bring!

Common themes from my coaching work

I’ve been told “be more strategic”: what can I do?

In my Executive Coaching practice clients often want to work out how to address feedback they have been given. My start point is to encourage the client to approach the feedback with curiosity, not defensiveness: in particular, ask for examples of the skill which they are being asked to develop,…

“Where am I going?” 3 sets of questions to help you reflect

Since the pandemic I’ve noticed a new trend in those approaching me to coach them – an increase in people who are well-established in their careers but are asking themselves “Where am I going?” and who want a safe space to work out the answer for themselves. Many first step…

Growth Mindset: why and how to have one

If I could gift one thing to my Coaching clients (and my children, family, friends, everyone!) it would be this – a Growth Mindset: a fundamental belief that you can grow, learn and improve with intention and application. Nothing is more useful for making the most of opportunities and riding…

My ‘This is why I coach’ moment

I’m a fan of Simon Sinek and his encouragement for individuals and companies to find their Purpose and ‘Start with Why’. On his company website there is an exercise he recommends to help you identify your Why. But sometimes no ‘exercise’ is needed; sometimes you have a moment where you…

Just been (or about to be) promoted? 6 Top Tips for Success

As an Executive Coach I am often engaged to support an individual’s role transition when they have just been promoted or are about to be promoted, leading a team. Coaching, which by its nature is tailored to the individual, is a great option for giving the individual a safe and confidential…

The power of reflection

When I am asked to name the key thing which I have learned through my journey as an Executive Coach it is the power of reflection. I wish I had known about the positive impacts of reflection when I was in the corporate world, as I believe it would have made…

How do you want to show up?

I recently wrote about the Power of Reflection https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/power-reflection-irene-grant Whilst the beauty of reflection is that you choose what to reflect upon – what’s important for you at that time – I thought it might be useful to follow up with a suggestion for Reflection which I also use in…

What does ‘success’ mean to you?

When a coaching client feels they are at a crossroads, one of the first questions I ask them is “what does ‘success’ mean to you?” Often it is not a question which they have consciously considered but doing so can bring a very different perspective to what the next chapter…

Changing organisation or career? 4 adages to consider…

Throughout the pandemic, individuals have been encouraged (or forced) to cope with enormous amounts of uncertainty and change. In my coaching practice, however, I am seeing individuals now choosing to change: it might be where they live (the much talked-about move from cities to the coast or countryside); it might be how…

Growing as your team grows: 3 areas to consider

As an Executive Coach & Mentor, with a focus on leadership, my assignments regularly involve a client who aspires to, or has been promoted to, a more senior leadership role. Some, happily, are in the positive position of “How do I perform this larger role to the best of my ability?’;…

Grow in confidence: 7 coaching tips

As an Executive Coach & Mentor, with a focus on leadership, I regularly have clients tell me “I’d like to be more confident”. It is a concern I like to dig into: when have you felt confident and when, conversely, have you lacked confidence?; what would ‘more confident’ look and feel…

Finding the right path for you

There is a Chinese proverb which states “There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same”. In my practice as an Executive Coach and Mentor, with a focus on leadership, it is a quote which I often share with clients who are…

5 Questions to help you lead well

I want to share a theme from my experience of coaching leaders: the value of asking questions. Some might think this relevant only to new leaders. I’d disagree: often leaders feel they ought to know the answers whereas actually asking the question can be much more impactful. These coachees –…

Leaders take note: we don’t need another hero

As my LI connections know well, I like to share learnings from my Executive Coaching practice, hoping they resonate with others. Here’s one which is not obvious: Leaders, don’t try to be a hero – your team and boss may not thank you for it. I recently held a tricky…

Leading effectively in a hybrid world: 3 particular challenges & suggested solutions

In my Executive Coaching practice I particularly enjoy working with leaders who have a growth mindset and a thirst for learning and who are striving to be ever better in their roles. The topic of leading effectively in a hybrid world comes up regularly because it is something which we are…

What would I change about leadership? Development!

I am asked regularly – based on my experiences as a senior leader, an Executive Coach, and a Non-Executive Director – if I could change one thing about leadership in organisations what would it be? My answer would be to make continuous leadership development a requirement for anyone who is…

Qualities of great leaders

Leadership fascinates me, currently as an Executive Coach and Non-Executive Director and previously in my leadership role in a complex global organisation. At a macro level, the behaviours and capabilities of an organisation’s leaders have a huge impact on engagement, productivity, morale and retention. At a human level, for many…

This post is about taking my own advice!

This LI post is about taking my own advice! When I’m coaching a client who wants to move forward, I will often ask: – “What, specifically, do you want to achieve?”; then – “What steps could you take to make that happen?”; then, to reduce anxiety, – “What’s the downside…

Taking my own advice – part 2

Taking my own advice – part 2 – NXD and Charity Trustee roles. When I am coaching or mentoring senior leaders I am often asked about the value of taking on Non Executive Director or Charity Trustee roles. This is not something to be undertaken lightly as you will be…

Taking my own advice Part 3 – make time for ‘downtime’.

I love the Anne Lamott quote “almost everything will work if you unplug it for a few minutes…including you.” It’s a humorous take on a serious point: it is so important for physical and mental health to take regular and refreshing breaks from work. In my coaching practice, I am…

Taking my own advice – Part 4: own and promote your value

In my Executive Coaching practice a common theme is discomfort with ‘self-promotion’. Clients tell me they are working hard, doing a great job but are being passed over for promotion or exciting projects, not getting the recognition or reward they feel they deserve. I ask “How do others know you’re…

Interviews: 5 things to consider

In my coaching practice I regularly work with individuals who are looking to make a step change in their career, either within their current organisation, moving to a different organisation or changing careers completely. Every individual and situation is different but usually there is an interview to prepare for somewhere in…

What purpose does Purpose play?

I asked my LI connections for suggestions of topics relevant to executive coaching and leadership about which I might write this year. The ever-inspiring Emma Lloyd suggested ‘Purpose’ – specifically the catchy title above – so here are some observations from my work with individuals, teams and organisations. What is Purpose?…

Culture Counts! 10 signs that you’re in good shape

leadership teams, we talk regularly and deeply about Culture: what would a great Culture feel like to the organisation’s people?; how, as leaders, can they create the right conditions for the desired Culture to flourish; how does the organisation sustain that Culture over time despite changing personnel and challenging external…

Organisational Values: identify, explain, embed

In my Coaching and Consultancy work with leadership teams I often raise the topic of organisational Values. This gets met with a range of reactions from “Nonsense – that’s just consultants’ jargon” (No it’s not, as we’ll see below) through “Oh yes, they are not explicit but everyone knows what they…

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Craigelachie

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