The Being Leader: Annabel Graham

It's that time of year, as we move toward the holiday season when people get a chance to pause and think, that many find it useful to do a check in, an annual review if you will to think about the year that has passed, and the year that is just about to start. This short podcast is an audio guide to your annual review.  In it I share the questions I use myself and offer my clients, and now I offer them to you. I therefore invite you to book 30 -60 minutes with yourself over the next couple of weeks, to reflect on the year end review questions I'll talk you through here.  They might not give you all the answers, but they will start you on the exploratory journey to decide what happens next.  Pause as you need to, so you can journal as I talk. I hope you find them useful.  You can access more resources at www.successfultraining.co.uk

In this final episode of The Being Leader, I reflect back on series 4, pulling out my highlights by episode, and leaving you with some reflective questions to consider about the human systems and teams you are part of. Much of the work to help move a system or team forward would benefit from partnering with a systemic coach.  If you'd like to learn more you can connect with me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-facilitator/, or www.successfultraining.co.uk.

In a captivating discussion, Preeta Cooley, an executive and team coach with a rich background in founder-led organizations, delves into the intricate dynamics of family and founder-led businesses. She highlights the emotional challenges founders encounter during transitions and the vital need for cognitive diversity in these environments. The conversation sheds light on the importance of communication and reflective decision-making while emphasizing collective thinking as a means to navigate complex leadership dynamics. Preeta inspires listeners to embrace change through a powerful desire for transformation.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Jos Burton, a seasoned coach and author of "Be Useful," dives deep into the essential theme of consent in leadership. He explores if consent comes with the job title and how it shifts when leaders inherit teams. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling in shaping workplace culture and the evolution from command-and-control to servant leadership. Jos emphasizes open communication and mutual expectations as pivotal for effective leadership, advocating for collaborative goal-setting to empower teams.

In this conversation, Claire Bradshaw, an executive coach and trainer, dives deep into the essential role of belonging in organizations. She explores how it shapes team dynamics and individual experiences, especially in hybrid work environments. Claire emphasizes the value of personal connections for fostering psychological safety and the negative impact of transactional relationships. The discussion also covers the intricate relationship between loyalty, leadership, and the challenges of identity during career transitions, highlighting the need for open communication and inclusion in the workplace.

In this enlightening discussion, Patrizia Amanati, an executive and team coach specializing in systemic principles, shares insights into the hidden dynamics that shape organizations. She elaborates on how past experiences influence present behaviors and the necessity of bringing implicit emotions to light within teams. Using nature metaphors like starlings and geese, she emphasizes team alignment and the emotional toll of frequent restructuring. Patrizia also highlights the importance of curiosity for leaders navigating complex organizational landscapes.

Welcome back to the podcast, and this is series 4 of the Being Leader. In this series we’re going to be looking at leadership and organisations systemically, and exploring with my guests some of the hidden aspects that show up all around us every day, that we aren’t necessarily aware of. Over the next 4 episodes, I'll be joined by some great guests to explore this in depth, as well as offering you some reflections to think about what it means for you. 

Is change affecting your team? Not sure? Well, have you had any new team members, change of mandate, change of environment, moving of goal posts in the last 3-6 months? All of that? Well - it probably is.  In this episode of the Being Leader with Nick Howell, we discuss the subject of how change impacts teams and share some of the things we’ve observed in our careers being in and leading teams, and also in our work together as Team coaches.  

Let's talk about something often ignores when we talk about change.  Transition – that sticky bit, the bit in between when people get stuck, frustrated and it all becomes a bit difficult.  Why don’t people talk about it?  Well we often view change as a linear entity, a journey from 1 point to another, with a series of steps in the middle that will get us there, but we forget we are dealing with humans, and we're just a bit messier. So in this episode we'll explore what transition is, the different phases, and steps to navigate it as best you can.

How does change impact organisations?  And if you are implementing a change project - large or small, what do you need to take into account. In this episode I'm joined by Chris Barrett, experienced Transformation Director, COO and board advisor who shares his experiences from 20 years of transformation and change initiatives. We explore change and transformation projects, and learn the key things we should and shouldn't be doing when we undertake small or large scale change.   Key learning - you can never communicate too much!