Summer Newsletter 2025
I’m currently in Philadelphia, USA preparing to take part in the launch of ICGS (International Coalition of Girls’ Schools) new Global Leadership Institute programme. I’m excited to be supporting the ICGS in offering their transformative year-long leadership development journey for educators and leaders passionate about advancing girls’ education. It will be an honour to be there facilitating the sessions, and attending the ICGS conference afterwards.
While we’re here, we’re taking some time out to visit lots of historic sites, including Gettysburg, Harrisburg, and the Justice Bell (also known as the Women's Liberty Bell, or the Woman's Suffrage Bell), as well as walking a small part of the Appalachian Trail - all in all soaking up some heritage and culture.
There are still places available for our Middle Leaders Group Coaching and our Senior Leaders Group Coaching programmes, both of which will be starting week commencing 8th September. As one past participant said, “When you think you have no time for your own CPD, it is a sign that you do absolutely need and deserve that professional and *personal* development!”.
Sign up here, or contact me to discuss the programmes.
I’m pleased to say that I have very nearly achieved the International Coaching Federation’s PCC coaching qualification. This has required over 500 hours of coaching, 6 months of learning, mentoring, coaching observations, and an exam. My clients can be assured that they are receiving a great level of coaching from an accredited, experienced, high level, professional coach, And I am so pleased. Just the final training hours to be signed off and the application will be complete…
Watch this space over the summer!
Our new team coaching programmes are proving very successful, with some lovely feedback. Team Coaching is for teams that want to maximise their performance together, perhaps increase teambuilding, further enhance their way of working to the next level, or simply to iron out some communication difficulties. This is a powerful and growing new type of coaching, and is distinct from the facilitation work we undertake - providing leadership development programmes for senior, middle and aspiring leaders. Working with one of my associates, Ros Sutton, who has a background working with corporates such as PWC, start-ups and tech firms, we work with teams during the normal course of their meetings together, and perhaps also supplement with development facilitation. The work we have been doing building psychological safety has been particularly well received.
“I really appreciate all you’ve done. So much more has come from it than the written objectives - 100 times more than that.”
Heather Cavannagh, Burgess Hill Girls Team Coaching Programme
I recently ran a webinar for one of our video games clients focussed on ‘successful difficult conversations’, just prior to their annual review season. This is something we’re regularly asked to provide for clients, whether in webinar or workshop format. It was really well attended, and we’ve again had excellent feedback. Difficult conversations are something we all face, either as leaders in business or education settings. There are ways, however, to make these conversations successful, with positive outcomes, making them less scary or uncomfortable. This was a bespoke piece of training, but please do contact me to discuss if you are interested in something similar for your team. We’re running workshops for schools for their September start of year training.
I’ve been increasingly asked to provide appraisals recently, with three completed in the last few months. Appraisals are a really useful opportunity for self-reflection, 360 feedback and discussion regarding developmental needs and possible directions for the future. They provide support and objectivity in equal measure. Appraisals can serve to enhance performance and job satisfaction of staff at all levels; thus supporting and developing flourishing organisations.
One final piece of news, I now appear on the HMC (The Heads’ Conference) Appraisers and Coaches list. If you would like more information on Bright Lead’s Appraisals or Coaching, please do visit our website, or contact me to have a conversation.
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