Could greater use of co-leadership models offer a tool to diversify who leads our cultural organisation?
Why is this research needed? Those in leadership positions in the publicly funded arts and cultural sector do not fully reflect the demographic diversity of the UK. The report on Social Mobility in the Cultural Economy from the Creative Industries...
Co-leadership: a research report
Ten years ago I undertook a research project as part of my Clore Fellowship, to explore how the model of joint leadership by joint Artistic and Executive Directors worked. I conducted many interviews with experienced ADs and EDs to understand how these roles worked...
What I can control
This exercise helps you focus on what's within your control, and invites you to worry less about what isn't. Download
Making change happen
We live in what has been termed VUCA times: volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Certainly the past few years have seen the world turned upside down by a pandemic and now by a war that threatens peace in Europe. But given it was the Greek philosopher Heraclitus...
Looking for a supportive peer-learning space to develop your thinking and confidence?
What is Action Learning? Virtual Action Learning offers a supportive, structured peer-learning environment. Using simple group coaching techniques, Action Learning enables fresh thinking and builds confidence. It involves a small group of peers coming together...
Making feedback more fruitful
Feedback can often feel like a spoonful of cod liver oil – you know it’s meant to be good for you, but we don’t relish it. And it can be hard to hear when you mainly hear about the things that are going wrong. You might wish someone also made time to tell you what’s...
Be more curious
Things not going quite right with someone you’re working with but you’re not sure how to broach the topic? Worried about upsetting someone, but feeling increasingly frustrated by their behaviour or assumptions? Too often we allow things that are not working to...
How to get best results from employer-funded coaching
When I first started working with coaching clients funded via their employers, I usually asked the employer to have a very light touch involvement. But increasingly I'm realising the importance and benefit of sometimes inviting the line-manager to be part of the...
Navigating using your values: finding your own compass
Being clear about your values, as an individual or an organisation, can be a very effective way to provide direction. It can also keep you on track: by guiding decisions about what you do and how. Values are like a compass – a simple navigational device you can...
Why do I run? A story about understanding motivation
It’s raining outside as I write this but I would love to be out there running right now. These days I rarely need to motivate myself to lace up my trainers, but for many years it wasn’t like that. So I’m going to tell you a story about running, but it’s not really...
Small is do-able
A lot of us at this stage in the pandemic are – frankly - knackered. We have very little energy left - so we need to use it wisely. So I’m going to offer five tips and ideas about the small things that I think can make a big difference. Small can be beautiful, but...
Keeping going: the art of momentum
Recently I had an enquiry about help maintaining commitment of a team through a period of long-term incremental change. Creating a big change can be dramatic and our excitement can provide the energy needed to make it happen. Incremental or ongoing smaller changes are...
Making time for reflection
Seasoned runners know that whilst sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself to get out of the door, you never regret making the effort. I think the same applies to making time to reflect and review how things are going. It often feels like THERE IS TOO MUCH TO DO...
Building confidence: big leaps and baby steps
Ever feel like you lack confidence? Confidence, like trust to which it is closely related, is one of those slippery things that can take ages to grow and seconds to destroy. And whilst those around you might have bags of confidence in you, it’s not uncommon for us to...
Setting ourselves up for success
When working as a coach or facilitator I always 'contract' with people before we start work together: we agree boundaries, expectations and ways of working. ‘Contracting’ is the technical term for these conversations, but I prefer to think of it as ‘setting things up...
Habits: small steps towards lasting change
Unfortunately, despite being fully vaccinated, I caught COVID 19 recently. And whilst the acute symptoms lasted only a week I’ve been left feeling very tired – as often happens after a nasty virus. Much as I’d love to return immediately to my usual level of activity,...
Finding your compass: using your values to set direction and stay on track
Being clear about your values, as an individual or an organisation, can be a very effective way to provide direction. It can also keep you on track: by guiding decisions about what you do and how. Values are like a compass – a simple navigational device you can...
Action Learning factsheet
Action Learning is a highly practical peer-learning model that enables you to find solutions to real issues whilst developing skills and insights. This factsheet offers a short introduction to the principles and practices involved to assist those considering joining a...
Visually thinking
In Spring 2019 my friend Ann was visiting and as we were stuck indoors due to rain so I suggested that we sketched our dreams for the year ahead. I’m not very good a drawing, but I had done a similar exercise with my Action Learning set and found it really enjoyable...
‘Comrades in adversity’ coming together to solve problems and support one another – the joy of peer-learning
Recently I was asked to participate in a research interview for a project the British Council has commissioned around peer-learning, and the consultant sent me over some interesting questions she wants to discuss, that led me to ask my own questions about this topic…...
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