Graham Neale
What coaching means to me...
“it is enabling an individual to do something or act differently to continue to achieve things that would not have happened without my help.”
Coaching Style and Approach
The very personal nature of a coaching relationship makes it difficult to benchmark performance and to measure effectiveness. However, if I had to single out some qualities that, I believe, characterise my style, they would be:
- Naturally responsive and enquiring, asking a lot of probing questions
- The absence of a strong ego helps with listening and pacing
- Providing support and challenge in equal measure; showing empathy but also encouraging ownership
- Strong focus on work application
- Helping individuals transition from dependence to independence
- Working in a flexible way that involves formal and informal contact
Experience - Industry Sectors, Organisational Level, Countries
- In the mid to late 90’s, I had the opportunity to work on coaching assignments with managers from Wolseley Centers, Environment Agency, Northumbrian Water and Diageo and, whilst enjoying the experience, I probably fell short in some areas that I now regard as crucial to effective performance as a coach; namely the skill of contracting with the coachee, agreeing objectives up front and finding the right balance between support and challenge. Since then, I have been able to apply some personal learning and, in subsequent contracts with individuals from Hewlett Packard, BMW, ExxonMobil and Oracle, I believe that I have been able to create a richer and more focused experience for the coachee.
- Since 1992, I have worked with a number of global businesses and in many different countries.
Typical Coaching Assignments
- The nature of coaching work has been very varied with situations varying from restructure, major change, merger, relationships, managing a new team to personal conflict and life balance issues.
Examples of Coaching Models Used
- The use of a 360 questionnaire is helpful both at the start & the end of an assignment
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), FIRO-B, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Time Management System (TMS).
Relevant Qualifications and Personal Development
- Part way through the Chartered Institute of Management (CMI) Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring