Flexibility vision and rewards
Jarred Associate Simon North can’t remember a time when he wasn’t doing what he loves, coaching in some form. Here he talks about the rewards of doing what he loves. Although he didn’t qualify and call himself a coach until he was fifty, he has spent most of his life using his skills to lift others to the next level: whether in his businesses, on the sports field or in music. ‘I’ve been working for forty-one years and never not enjoyed a day,’ he says.
Simon’s ability to zoom in and zoom out with clients means that he can see how one individual affects the whole picture and how the whole picture affects the individual. Some would say that his approach is holistic but there’s nothing woolly about it, he has a strong business background and he enjoys seeing results.
‘What works in coaching is getting a picture of all the pieces that make up someone’s life, you need to be interested in them.’ he says, ‘Help them to understand what they value in themselves, who else would value them and why.’ He explains that this involves understanding the micro-climate someone lives and works in, being curious about their environment and background, and exploring the underlying dynamics behind their problems.
The importance of individuals
He goes on to talk about a recent Jarred success story. Working with a professional services organisation that was stuck in its progress and looking to grow, he focused on the HR manager. Like most HR departments over the past two years, it was overstretched and under-resourced. ‘They were flying low in the weeds’, he says. In need of elevation so that they could see the bigger picture, he knew that they wouldn’t be going anywhere unless he could raise the confidence, self-esteem and energy of the person in charge.
‘In order to build a new people strategy, she had to be more influential’ he explains. After a course of intensive coaching over six months, she was able to do just this. ‘She will lead the thinking and strategy needed for action and change,’ he says with confidence.
Change in one person can be the driving force for change across an entire organisation.
A few words of wisdom
Simon’s experience is expansive: from conducting webinars for internal business schools to writing what he estimates must be thousands of thought leadership pieces. His approach, however, is very grounded. He shares a few of his thoughts:
- Young people are our precious resources so they should be treated with care and respect.
- When someone feels repaired and new because they’ve had time to focus on their skills and value, they light up like they’ve been plugged into the mains.
- If you tell someone what to do, they won’t do it. Create a safe space to grow, a wider perspective and the tools they need and you’ll see the change happen. This is what coaching is all about.
- Micromanagers never fail to have a negative impact on those they’re managing.
- Change happens when you understand the soil that the plant is in.
‘The ideal situation is for them to leave the conversation you’ve just had and go and do the thing they need to do’ he says. Not because they’ve been told to but because they feel supported, safe, nurtured and prepared.
Simon concludes by applauding the community Kerry Jarred has assembled. ‘Her vision of how to create and sustain a community of experts is rare,’ he says, ‘you have to work at keeping good people together’.
Get in touch to hear how Jarred Consulting can help you and your people. This is what we love doing and we have a reputation for doing it well. We would love to hear your thoughts!