Leadership is a long game.

Leadership stories

A few years ago, I started working with a new client. His role had grown, and so did the expectations around him.

He wanted a coach to help him find his feet. We had immediate challenges to work through. There was a lot to get his head around, and his eyes, a lot that could go wrong.

We started with what was in front of us. Getting settled, uniting the team, setting short- and long-term goals, and generally helping him calm down. 

How the partnership grew

Over time our conversations grew deeper and wider. Some days we talked about strategy. Other days we dissected a difficult conversation. Other conversations were about organisational change or succession. And some days (too many days) we talked about Steve.  We all know a Steve. 

All these years later, we don’t have to cover much context. We’ve gone through it together, I’ve worked with his team and I continue to be his sounding board. And yes, we’re still talking about Steve.

My strategic partnerships are built on trust and long-term context. That comes from understanding your organisation, your people and the history behind the decisions you're making.

You'll have someone to think out loud with (and a sparring partner when you need one), someone to celebrate the wins with, and someone who can pick up right where we left off.

The partnership became a place to think beyond the immediate problem.

Shared history

Years of working together created something that’s difficult to manufacture: shared context and shared history.

Better questions

We moved past the immediate challenges to the bigger questions about leadership, the organisation, and what was next.

Honest challenge

We had enough trust to question assumptions, spot patterns, and really get real.

Looking ahead

Less time explaining the past and more time thinking about the future.

 

Let’s start a conversation on how a strategic partnership could help give you a better perspective.