I’d love to commit to a weeknote, but as I described to a client this week, ‘toddler steps’ are sometimes okay.
Work
Consulting:
I’m enjoying developing a bespoke flexible working approach for a client, and being given the freedom to run with a participatory and consultative approach. It’s making some waves due to some cultural hangovers from how the subject has been dealt with in the past, but I’m sticking with the mantra:
“make it open, it makes it better”.
(Thanks, Giles Turnbull and Public Digital). If we get to a place where we launch a thing that everyone already knows about, so much the better.
Coaching:
I’ve taken on some new coaching clients this month – it is great to meet some very different people working in different countries and cultures. I’m also approaching the end of a few coaching engagements, where it’s been a privilege to witness real growth and courage.
Had group supervision with some coaches I trained with. So lovely to rekindle those relationships after a few months’ coaching on my own. Everyone has come so far since qualifying last year.
Other stuff:
Working with Holly McCulloch to develop some illustrations to support some personal work and projects – which is a total delight and very exciting! WIP snapshot…
Growth
Nothing hugely noteworthy this month but I’ve signed up for some facilitation training to polish my skills, in advance of a couple of team days on the horizon.
Set my sights on the International Coaching Federation Associate Coach Certification application and exam for later this year.
Community
I set up the Smartphone Free Childhood group for our kids’ schools and am trying to figure out some next steps. Full of admiration for Clare and Daisy who founded the movement with a view to restoring a play-based childhood that builds social skills, and protecting very young children from harmful content. Feels like Citizens in action!
Booked in a pro-bono coaching programme for someone who has been a massive help to our family over the last two years.
Listen
Loving the back issues of Fixable, by Anne Morris and Frances Frei.
Discovered At Work with the Ready – a spirited podcast about a new way of consulting from the company behind Brave New Work, a book that has really influenced my thinking on organisations.
Read
Started reading James Timpson’s The Happy Index. TBH, I’m barely beyond the introduction, but I visited a Timpsons to get a new battery for my son’s watch and I experienced everything the book promised. Greeted by a friendly worker, who upon finding that the watch was on its last legs, replaced the battery for free and gave it back to me with a smile. After reading a few pages, my expectations had been raised, and then they were surpassed in reality.
Also, children’s books! Reading Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures brought me so much joy that I bought all her other books. Reading them has been felt like a warm bath for the brain. “Why You Should Read Children’s Books Even Though You Are So Old And Wise” is a favourite so far. The answer? Chiefly hope, but also universal truths about human character.
Life
Visited friends in Bath, it had been too long since we’d caught up. And an impromptu bonus – meeting Jim Godfrey in the flesh, who I’ve loved working with on many of my recent coaching engagements.
Spent a slightly damp week in Studland, Dorset with the wider family over Easter. Attempted fossil hunting to little success, but did get some practical geology lessons in. I am very grateful for this annual family tradition instituted by my mum.
Went back to Back to Netball. Pulled my quad (didn’t warm up properly). But exhilarating nonetheless.
Negotiating some private healthcare providers with varying levels of satisfaction, because we’ve waited over a year on the NHS. We’re very lucky that it’s even an option, but it’s bewildering nonetheless.
