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:
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
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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreHow 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…
Read MoreWhat 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…
Read MoreChanging 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…
Read MoreGrowing 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?’;…
Read MoreGrow 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…
Read MoreFinding 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…
Read MoreThoughts about leadership
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…
Read MoreWhat 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…
Read MoreQualities 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…
Read MoreFour pieces of advice, drawn from my own experience and my coaching work
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…
Read MoreInterviews: 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…
Read MoreTaking 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…
Read MoreTaking 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…
Read MoreThree common themes from my consultancy work:
What purpose does Purpose play in 2022?
In January 2022 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.…
Read MoreCulture 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…
Read MoreOrganisational 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
Offering professional coaching, mentoring and consultancy throughout the UK and overseas.