Headsail Coaching and Training

12/09/2023

Calling all local businesses.

We are a group of local businesses and we are meeting in Brewpoint Bedford tomorrow at 9.30am.

Would you like to come along as we are always interested in meeting quality businesses from the local area.

Please DM me if interested

24/03/2023

Happy Friday….

22/03/2023

The Marathon Des Sables is billed as the toughest footrace on earth, it’s basically six marathons in six days, across sand dunes in blistering heat, all while carrying everything you need for the week on your back.

Where do I sign up I hear you ask??

Well my brother will set off in a few weeks to hopefully complete this epic endurance test.
In my line of work I encourage clients to take on challenges, to set ambitious goals for themselves, because the personal growth which results, is worth the effort, sometimes even pain, but I don’t often mean physical pain.

Brian speaks about how he expects the sharp shingle underfoot to rip the soles of his shoes, how the sand will be so hot the soles of his feel will take weeks and weeks to recover. Personal growth on another level.

So why is he facing this challenge? Listen to him here. https://open.spotify.com/episode/70OyTyssFe21vZ35l8EsaH?si=W2GFYR5TSBmlPohcdocowQ

To say I’m in awe of the physical challenge he is about to complete doesn’t come near, but the work that he is doing in raising awareness when it comes to looking after our mental health, especially in men of his age, makes me immensely proud.

If you are in a position to donate anything at all, it would really be appreciated. https://gofund.me/6912dc13

15/03/2023

14/03/2023

Enjoying the journey, not thinking too much about the destination….

09/03/2023

08/03/2023

When I am asked why I do what I do, I often answer, that the idea of anyone lying on their deathbed, regretting not fulfilling their true potential, not being as great as they were meant to be, not feeling as fulfilled as they could have felt, fills me with real sadness, and I know I can help individuals unlock their full potential.

While I don’t work solely with women, I know that women need to work a little harder, to firstly, acknowledge their own abilities and talents, but there is also, much work to do to ensure businesses realise the limitless pool of potential that is right under their noses.

In “The Inner Game of Tennis”, Timothy Gallwey says - Performance = Potential – Interference

But a study, last year, by Professor Danielle Li of MIT Sloan, found that women, on average, received higher performance ratings than their male counterparts but received 8.3% lower ratings for potential than the men.

Potential ratings are often a strong predictor for promotion, which means that women are 14% less likely to be promoted.

So, what is the answer? Professor Li says, “we need to define potential and what we are trying to measure”. And then we need to track the relationship between what the manager measures and how the individual actually performs.

If we can start to put metrics around it and reduce the risk of stereotypes and interpretation coming into the equation, then we can truly reduce the risk of bias and preconceptions and really “level the playing field.

Looking to tools which can debias the promotion and hiring process would be a great first step.

One of the best tools I use is The GC Index as it assesses the impact and potential contribution the individual can make to their role or team, with zero discrimination or bias taking place. This, and tools like it are a sure way to ensure that women start fulfilling their true potential.

02/03/2023

I wish I were an avid reader, or perhaps if I could absorb the learnings from the dozens of books I buy, by some kind of osmosis!

Life is busy and I don’t always have the time to read - climbing into bed with a book, but I rarely get through a chapter, before the day catches up with me and I fall asleep, book in hand.

So, my approach is now to squeeze in reading when I can –while the boys are at art class or swimming, on a train journey or even waiting for the potatoes to boil.

These are the books I currently have on the go.

When do you find time to read? Are you a “multiple books at once” reader?

What are your book recommendations?

02/03/2023

Believe it or not, successful teams are not in constant communication, but when they do communicate, they are skilled at delivering the necessary information concisely, developing ideas and then breaking away to execute.

Taking a leaf from Scrum Methodology is a great place to start. In a scrum, teams get together and quickly update their team-mates on: what they have completed, what they are going to concentrate on next and what might get in the way of their progress.

This format ensures everyone is updated and is aware of what’s going on. It allows for collaboration and effective discussions on what might work best, but it allows for the “real work” to get done.

Nobody benefits from lengthy meetings where no decisions are made. Use your time wisely, so that you have more time to spend creating a healthy team culture.

What are your tips for effective team communication?

28/02/2023

There is always a path forward...