I Am A More Effective Leader With Lesley-Ann At My Back
In early 2010 I was hired as an Executive Director of a National organization. At the time I needed a safe place to process the many changes I was considering implementing. These included staff reorganization, new strategic priorities, and new organizational values and philosophies.
Hiring Lesley-Ann Marriott gave me exactly what I needed to successfully navigate these changes. Our coaching sessions created space and time to step back and look at the big picture, then dive down in to particular issues. Lesley-Ann’s ability to ask the right questions gave me clarity and confidence in my decisions.
Initially I had thought I would hire Lesley-Ann for a limited time to see me through the first few months of my new role. Very quickly I realized having her coaching skills was an asset to my leadership and so I have continued to turn to her as issues arise.
Having Lesley-Ann as my coach has been an excellent leadership tool that I can’t do without.
I am a more effective leader with Lesley-Ann at my back. I highly recommend working with her.
Executive Director of a National Christian Ministry
From Psycho-Babble to More Wins…OK OK This Stuff Works
In the beginning the concept of executive coaching was an entertaining notion, best left to those with much more free time than myself. I thought the idea that I could derive any benefit from sitting down with someone who knew nothing of the madness that is my life was a complete waste of time. However, it was required so I would suck it up and see what, if anything, I could get from the experience.
At first glance there appeared to be a collection of standardized questions…and questions…and psycho-babble one-liners “so how did that make you feel” and other stuff reserved for the gentlest of rehab/marriage/grief counselors. After a few minutes of this type of banter, I soon realized these standard questions may have had some purpose. The purpose of these questions was to determine where I was coming from and to tailor the needs of the sessions to what I wanted to do…ok, put away the Kleenex cause this thing just turned!
Here’s what I want…I want to know how to motivate the people around me, and I want them to buy into my vision. I want to raise the game of the people working around me . I want to raise my own game. I want to manage multiple teams on multiple projects simultaneously. I want to win….always!
To her credit, Lesley has not taught me to do any of these. Instead she has acted as my spring board and taught me the tools to pursue what I want. The sessions now became useful…I am learning techniques and strategies, I am learning new ways to skin the cat, I am taking notes, and I am gonna make this stuff pay as soon as I get out of the session!
Now after a session I am trying to learn what motivates my staff, the same staff (for the most part) I have been trying to motivate for years. After hitting them with a battery of questions, I determine what makes them tick and then I know just where to poke and prod to get my people to function at a higher level. Hold on…was that what Lesley just did to me?
Either way, it worked! Now I know what is driving some of these people. OK, so maybe there’s more to this stuff. It works, and I am just starting, I wonder how far can I take this?
From here our sessions evolved and now coaching those around me is easy…coaching myself is much harder. When the people who work for me, with me or around me have problems I am the one that usually needs to remove them, and I usually have some kind of vested interest in doing so. As an independent business man where do I turn to solve my problems? My co-conspirators will eat me alive and those who turn to me to solve their problems often are un-helpful or not informed enough to solve my problems.
Lesley is an exceptional coach and has the ability to poke and prod to allow you to answer your own questions and devise plans of action to solve problems. Many times you already have the solutions, but the critical thinking needed to get there needs to be brought to you by an independent party. Lesley has a unique skill set that helps you to see the forest through the trees.
Lesley is truly an asset and I have come to rely on her to motivate and educate. I can honestly say that she has positively impacted both my management style and problem solving ability and has this has translated into more wins! I now look forward to the next coaching session.
Owner of a mid-size, successful Public Accounting Firm
Lesley-Ann Marriott. PCC, CEC
I am a Vancouver-based certified executive coach, speaker, facilitator, and executive level leader who specialized in developing management teams in a big box retail operation. I am passionate about people achieving their potential ; I provide a direct and action oriented process for immediate client results …
Coaching is becoming a common practice is organizations...
Marriott Management Group
Lesley-Ann Marriott
Executive Coach
604.315.7140
coach@MarriottManagement.ca
Vancouver, BC Canada