The magic confidence formula..

Loretta Brown - 12 August 2014

“I wish I could buy some more confidence!” my friend said when she was contemplating starting her own business. She felt terrified and not very sure of her ability and chances of success.

I didn’t say anything then, but it reminded me of feelings that arise every time I want to do anything new outside my comfort zone. As a coach, I should know better. But it took reading The Confidence Gap by Dr Russ Harris to remember that it is not lack of confidence that is delaying new action - it is the discomfort of change.

Peer coaching groups - connecting leaders for development

Aly McNicoll - 9 May 2013

A recent article in ‘Psychology Today' magazine stated that 82% of new leaders derail because they fail to build sufficient connections with subordinates or peers. This can mean they feel like they have to go it alone with challenges, when in fact help could be close at hand.

New Zealand Coaching & Mentoring Centre have developed a unique addition to leadership development tools to ensure leaders build the skills and habits of learning with and from their peers. Peer Coaching Groups can be used to reduce the isolation that many leaders feel plus ensure they realise the benefits of investing the time to build these vital learning connections with others.

NZCMC director Loretta Brown receives master coach accreditation from European Council

NZCMC - 30 March 2013

NZCMC director Loretta Brown is the first Australasian Coach to receive a Master Coach Accreditation from the foremost coaching organisation The European Coaching and Mentoring Council.

The award was granted after a rigorous application process and awarded in recognition of advanced leadership coaching expertise and commitment to developing the coaching profession in Australasia. Loretta is now involved with supporting other coaches in New Zealand, Australia and Singapore with their accreditation with EMCC.

Are you stuck in time management treacle? Why standard time management tips don't work

Loretta Brown - 30 March 2012

You know what the treacle is! It is the sticky, messy, muddle of busy, day-to-day expectations and tasks that takes leaders away from the important work. It's the interruptions, endless meetings, and emails. It's treacle that makes heart sink as you approach the office in the morning. Like treacle, the day traps you, holding you in conversations you don't need to have and chores you don't want to do. You start with the best of intentions, but endless demands rise up and snatch the morning. Yet another day flies by with very little to show for such hard w

Ironically the first paragraph of this article has taken more than 3 hours to write, as lots of other demands keep coming up. I am frustrated by the slipping hours and that the year's goals are no further ahead. Surely we are sophisticated and capable people who know all about focus and prioritization? We wouldn't have got where we are without our capacity to get things done. So why do we continue to drown in detail and trivia? What happens to the work we set out in the morning to achieve?

The Holy Grail of Strategy — How Leaders Can Be More Strategic

Loretta Brown - 30 March 2012

CEOs want their senior team to 'be strategic'. Managers aren't being promoted until they 'become more strategic'.

Everyone would agree that leadership and strategy are desirable, but what does being strategic really mean? These buzzwords are mentioned daily at work but often misunderstood. Good leaders are offered little guidance on how to become more strategic and how this translates to day-to-day work.

Three understandable mistakes that leaders make in the first month

Loretta Brown - 28 March 2012

Taking on a leadership role in a new organisation is a huge transition and leaders often place unrealistic expectations on themselves.

Make a good impression!  Understand everything!  Make decisions fast!

Take care with these expectations - they can trip you up.

The 3 most common pitfalls for managers coaching staff

Aly McNicoll - 1 February 2012

There are core differences between managing conversations and coaching conversations, and it is often hard for a manager to switch roles and truly function as a coach with their own staff.

The 3 most common pitfalls that managers tell us they fall in to when coaching are advising,reassuring and losing objectivity and/or neutrality. Have a look at these and see if you recognise them.