Coaching by numbers.
55 days ago I walked to work, past the beautiful harbourside in Bristol, arriving at a training venue for the day ahead working with the Environment Agency. At the time it felt like a significant day. I was delivering the last module, for the last cohort of the 2019 intake of the Technical Leadership development programme, having worked with over 100 leaders from across the country.
What I didn’t know at the time is that it would now feel significant for an entirely different reason. I look back at this day with a real mixture of emotions - pride, nostalgia, trepidation, uncertainty, and hope. This day (all the way back!) in March turned out to be the last time I had the pleasure of working face-to-face with an engaged, curious and courageous group of people. I left the room feeling inspired. I miss that feeling. I’ve met some brave and brilliant people since the programme began last summer and I’m grateful to everyone involved for their commitment to taking risks, being vulnerable and making changes that stick.
As part of the programme, we encouraged groups to support each other to keep taking risks in their development through group coaching in ‘action learning groups’. Group coaching fosters a culture of ongoing learning and collaboration which helps people to translate professional development into sustainable behavioural change that positively impacts performance.
Now, more than ever, I’m glad that peers across the Environment Agency are able to come together to talk about the challenges they are facing in a forum that puts listening at the heart of every conversation.
Due to the impact of lock-down, people are managing lots of new home working patterns so we know that being flexible to fit around people’s availability is a small way we can help. This is one way as an employee owned company, that we continue to put people first. A recent delegate expressed it more clearly than I could.
I really appreciate that Matthew. I think a lot of companies/people would just have simply said ‘contract sorted, move on’ ... it’s unusual, refreshing and appreciated that you are different.
If you’re interested in working with an organisation that approaches working together differently – get in touch. Our aim is to keep conversations going and adapt how we work until we can meet face to face again.