What I do.
I do my work because I believe that holding conversations that dig beneath the surface allows potential, and success, to flow.
Coaching.
I spend time with individuals who have aspirations to improve their communication skills, increase their leadership effectiveness or plan their careers. This takes the form of one-to-one meetings that are focused on the agenda of the person being coached.
Usually, they happen more frequently at the outset of the coaching relationship and dwindle over time as their goals are met and a high level of self-sufficiency and self-determination is established.
Having met personally at the beginning of the coaching assignment, it is possible to have some sessions on the telephone or over the web.
Facilitation.
Often in groups and on behalf of business schools or organisations, I facilitate 360 degree feedback.
Although based on the perceptions of those in a circle around the recipient, these perceptions are nonetheless taken to be true as they create the social and professional dynamic between the recipient and his or her colleagues. Whilst acknowledging that they are not the truth, these perceptions are used as a mirror to reflect back the behaviours that are observed and experienced by others.
If the reflection is not in accord with the recipient’s intentions, I assist them explore and unpack what is going on so that they can choose alternative and more authentic ways of being in relationship. Notwithstanding the challenges that 360 degree feedback offers, and perhaps a sense of exposure by virtue of being in a group, these sessions are full of "ah ha" moments when undermining patterns of behaviour are revealed.
Once realised, these behaviours can often be easily remedied through a new awareness and an intention to change.
Seminars.
Having undertaken research in the university environment and having developed programme direction and delivery skills in university business schools at home and abroad, I enjoy the more academic frames that enable people to think creatively about their situations.
By marrying the theoretical with the practical, I deliver leadership programmes, workshops and seminars on many topics such as: change, communication, team building and coaching and mentoring. I believe in a light academic touch. Just enough to offer new ways of framing ideas and not too much to dampen enthusiasm in amongst abstract concepts.
Writing.
My writing career is rooted in my research into women’s transformational processes. The extensive writing that the PhD demanded marked the beginning of a journey as an author. Since that time, I have written many titles, mostly in the area of personal development.
Titles include:
The Beating Shyness Workbook
To be published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2014
The Assertiveness Workbook
Published by Hodder & Stoughton, January 2013
Successful Networking in-a-week
Teach Yourself series published by Hodder Education, 2012
Successful Assertiveness in-a-week - Teach Yourself series published by Hodder Education, 2012
A Matter of Choice: A Companion for making every day or life changing choices. (Co-authored) Published by Marshall Cavendish, April 2011
A Woman’s Way: the transformative journey from hurt to happiness, O-Books, April 2008
Introduced and co-wrote Make it Happen: How to get ahead and be happy at work. Published by Bloomsbury Publications, 2005
Dena's word-bites.
Whether I am working with individuals or groups, I am fairly often asked if I have written anything down that captures the thoughts, themes and insights that have emerged from our discussions.
As the themes tend to be recurring and related, I decided to write a few articles under the label 'word-bites' and add to their number as new material and ideas come to light.
I chose this term to suggest that the writing is in a non-academic form and easily digestible, not to diminish their importance or relevance.
I hope you enjoy them.
1. Leadership - the call to adventure
In this article, I suggest that the call to leadership is also 'the call to adventure' in which the traveller embarks on 'The Hero's Journey'; a rite of passage that brings previously untapped talent and capability to the fore.
2. Leadership - full circle
This article is about the process of receiving 360 degree feedback in groups. It is through acquiring higher levels of self-awareness that we are able to manage our impact and enhance our 'leadership brand'.
3. Leadership - pure poetry
In this word-bite I suggest that poetry is an art form that can help make sense of the uncertainty that leaders often face. It gives words and meaning, through metaphor, to circumstances that have never been encountered and that have no ready explanations.
4. Leadership - making meaning
Leaders have a role in making meaning for those who are working with them too manifest a vision or goal. This word-bite examines the meaning-making process and highlights the critical elements that leaders can use to orchestrate it.