Profile.Coaching

10/09/2026

I'm so looking forward to Brooke Trenwith speaking at the NZ Professional Coaches Summit in February 2027. Brooke has been at trailblazer for Women in Professional Coaching and I'm delighted that she is coming from the Waikato to Little Akaloa to speak. If you are thinking about a career in Professional Coaching you really need to come to this event for connections, learning and inspiration. https://www.profilecoaching.co.nz/summit-2027

08/09/2026

Today I learned a wonderful Tok Pisin phrase from Papua New Guinea: Samting nating. Literally, “something nothing.”

Context: My Mum spent a year working in PNG and picked up quite a few statements that she pulls out from time to time. This one came out this morning in relation to a leak in her roof. Mum lives alone and when she told me about the leak she said "Oh it's just, something nothing" and I said "EH? What?" then she told me about this phrase.

I loved it...and decided to contextualise it into our working day

It describes something unimportant, something that does not deserve the weight, attention or energy we are giving it. That email you keep rereading, that small mistake you cannot stop replaying, or that irritating comment you are still carrying around. Before you give it another hour of your life, ask yourself: Does this need action, or is it Samting Nating?

Some things need a conversation, some things need a solution, and some things simply need to be released.

Perhaps today is a good day to shrug your shoulders and say, “Samting nating. Let it go.”

07/09/2026

Do you have a High School student who you would like to attend the Blanchard Student Self Leadership programme? It's an online programme with 4 group teaching sessions via zoom. Students from around the world join this programme that runs throughout the year and is available for free to all High School students.

The programme begins on October 15 and is lead by Volunteer Professional Coaches and their supporters (including University Students from the University of Canterbury). All the details to register are below.

Fulfill your dream to become a self-reliant leader by enrolling for Student Self Leadership. Free for students & teachers!

07/09/2026

UNIVERSITY STUDENT VOLUNTEERS WANTED: BLANCHARD GLOBAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP PROJECT

I’m looking for two young adults aged 20 to 25 who would like to support the Blanchard Global Student Self Leadership Project.
Beginning on 15 October, this four-week voluntary programme will bring together students from around the world.

The role involves:
• Spending approximately 1-2 hours each week reviewing students’ comments that they have added as part of the online self-paced learning and writing supportive comments in response
• Encouraging students as they progress through the programme
• Working behind the scenes, with no direct or face-to-face student contact

If you know a University student(s) who could be interested please get them to text me 027 591 6555

https://www.blanchard.co.nz/blanchard-institute/

04/09/2026

Clear is not cruel.
Clear is kind.

I coach many people who struggle with clear communication because, somewhere along the way, being clear became confused with being cruel.

We have even been taught that “sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.”

STOP. No.

You never need to be cruel to be kind.

But you do need to be clear.

In organisations, clarity is not a “nice to have”. It is essential.

Hinting is not clear communication.
Sarcasm is not clear communication.
Disguising criticism as a joke is not clear communication.
A pointed look across the room is not clear communication.
Hoping someone will “get the message” is not clear communication.

If you have not said it respectfully, directly and in words the other person can understand, you have not communicated it clearly.

People cannot meet expectations that remain unspoken.
They cannot correct behaviour that has never been named.
They cannot respond to feedback they are expected to decode.

Clarity does not require aggression. It requires courage.

It means saying what needs to be said—with respect, fairness and a genuine desire to help the other person understand.

Clear is not cruel.
Avoidance is not kindness.
Clear communication is one of the kindest forms of leadership.

29/08/2026

It’s this Friday ….

This is professional development and is tax deductible, so why not claim your personal development,

Places are still available.

For all the information please click the link in the comments

28/08/2026

In October I'm the project lead on the Blanchard Aotearoa NZ Student Self Leadership Programme. I'm looking for the following helpers who will all receive a certificate from Blanchard New Zealand for their involvement in the 2026 Self Leadership Programme. There is more information about the programme here https://www.blanchard.co.nz/blanchard-institute/

Student Self Leadership is designed for 14–18-year-olds but most of our students are about 14.

I NEED 2 FACILITATORS
A male and a female aged between 20-25. All the content is provided, it's a PPT presentation. I will be present to assist if any facilitator needs my help on the night. I will also train both facilitators in the content. A 2 hour session.

I NEED 2 BEHIND THE SCENES SUPPORTERS
A male and a femaled aged between 20-25 who will answer the contributions of the students who sign up. They will not be visible, it's an online chat where students share their experiences with the content of the programme. My volunteers will reply with messages like "sounds like you have a great plan for your future" or "good luck with your violin lessons" it's easy contributions like this.

Total contribution time is about 2 hours per week for both roles

I need a total of 4 volunteers to join me.

The facilitators need to be available for 2 hours on the following dates October 15, 22, 29 and Nov 5

6.30pm-7.00pm Tech Check and catch up with Marina
7.00pm - 8.00pm The Programme for Students
8.00pm - 8.30pm Debrief with Marina on the session

It's all Virtual, everyone can contribute from their home. Students join from around the world but mostly our students in NZ will be from NZ.

Please email [email protected] to register your interest by September 10

Fulfill your dream to become a self-reliant leader by enrolling for Student Self Leadership. Free for students & teachers!