So, it is official, it is time for Walker Wellbeing to be put to bed.
It has been a fab 4 years, but businesses move on and this one has too.
I still love doing what I do but my client base has shifted to working with vibrant, exciting managers who want to do better in the workplace. What a wonderful place to be; supporting people to develop to their full potential as managers and leaders.
So, with a change of direction comes a change of business name ... please check me out on my new website
www.launabrooks.co.uk
You will be very welcome.
And a Happy New Year to you all.
P.S. I will still be seeing a handful of private clients at the weekend so get in touch if it is personal coaching you are looking for.
Saturday, 3 January 2015
Sunday, 29 June 2014
Latest update...training versus coaching
So close to signing off the copy-write for my new website now, these are very exciting times!
So, we have been doing a lot of thinking about the 'why' recently at BNI. That is why do we do what we do? There are a lot of coaches out there so why pick me? What makes me different?
It takes me back to a Leadership course I was on many moons ago. I was working in a team with a lovely woman who was obviously used to being the leader and happy to volunteer to be so. As the week progressed, the tutor asked us to swap roles which was when the other side of her nature came out. She could not work as part of a team, she could not take the rejection of her suggestions and she sulked, yes she sulked!!!
So when it came to the section on positive feedback the whole group explained the issues we had had with her behaviour and she denied it all, she denied it all, blamed us for not being strong enough leaders, so she had to take the lead every time!
How much money had her employers paid for her to attend a course where she had effectively learnt nothing? How did her team feel when she returned from her training to find she was the same old, same old? Did they leave, look for a new job because they were undervalued?
Working with a coach is a much larger commitment, but a greater investment with much greater return. Working with someone who has been there, seen it and done it (like I have) will give you the opportunity to share and learn with someone who has a sense of humour too (that is me by the way!!!).
Why do I do what I do? Because no-one should suffer poor management when there is so much support out there for their boss to get it right...
Launa
Launa Brooks Management Development
Coming to a website near you soon
So, we have been doing a lot of thinking about the 'why' recently at BNI. That is why do we do what we do? There are a lot of coaches out there so why pick me? What makes me different?
It takes me back to a Leadership course I was on many moons ago. I was working in a team with a lovely woman who was obviously used to being the leader and happy to volunteer to be so. As the week progressed, the tutor asked us to swap roles which was when the other side of her nature came out. She could not work as part of a team, she could not take the rejection of her suggestions and she sulked, yes she sulked!!!
So when it came to the section on positive feedback the whole group explained the issues we had had with her behaviour and she denied it all, she denied it all, blamed us for not being strong enough leaders, so she had to take the lead every time!
How much money had her employers paid for her to attend a course where she had effectively learnt nothing? How did her team feel when she returned from her training to find she was the same old, same old? Did they leave, look for a new job because they were undervalued?
Working with a coach is a much larger commitment, but a greater investment with much greater return. Working with someone who has been there, seen it and done it (like I have) will give you the opportunity to share and learn with someone who has a sense of humour too (that is me by the way!!!).
Why do I do what I do? Because no-one should suffer poor management when there is so much support out there for their boss to get it right...
Launa
Launa Brooks Management Development
Coming to a website near you soon
Friday, 6 June 2014
Slowly developing Launa Brooks - Management Development
So...the new business cards and letter heads are taking pride of place in the boot of my car at the moment and I have been working hard on the website along with some great professional partners; graphic designer Stu Avis and copywriter Liz Painter.
There has definitely been a bit of confusion, though I can confirm that I am NOT married. Jon and I celebrated our 10th anniversary in May so I took his name in recognition of this. No parties or pressies, or photos for that matter but it works for us.
So Walker Wellbeing no longer works for me as you can see. Very timely to start changing the labels on all my social media etc but only now do you realise how much there is in this modern age!
One thing I have noticed, law of attraction and all that, is that I have recently bumped into a couple of very professional and approachable coaches locally. We have talked about some joint work which will be ideal for going into larger organisations and delivering to a similar standard.
I am excited about the future and moving into working with more managers. There is so much to do...to give managers the confidence to manage. Those hard decisions are hard for a reason, but that is what the business pays you extra for. Just think how much easier life would be if you tackled those issues head on, nipping in the bud works and leads to a more motivated, productive workforce. Excited!!
There has definitely been a bit of confusion, though I can confirm that I am NOT married. Jon and I celebrated our 10th anniversary in May so I took his name in recognition of this. No parties or pressies, or photos for that matter but it works for us.
So Walker Wellbeing no longer works for me as you can see. Very timely to start changing the labels on all my social media etc but only now do you realise how much there is in this modern age!
One thing I have noticed, law of attraction and all that, is that I have recently bumped into a couple of very professional and approachable coaches locally. We have talked about some joint work which will be ideal for going into larger organisations and delivering to a similar standard.
I am excited about the future and moving into working with more managers. There is so much to do...to give managers the confidence to manage. Those hard decisions are hard for a reason, but that is what the business pays you extra for. Just think how much easier life would be if you tackled those issues head on, nipping in the bud works and leads to a more motivated, productive workforce. Excited!!
Sunday, 11 May 2014
3 months later...
It is hard to believe that it has been three months since I last wrote this blog...or to be honest maybe not.
I have been so busy coaching (yeh!), networking (I am turning into a right little networking queen) & developing the new business. I am excited to announce that the niche is at last there...and it found me rather than the other way around.
I have been coaching a number of managers recently and combined my 20 years managing experience with the skills I have to develop people and motivate them to change...so the new brand is all about Management Development.
Everyone goes on about Leadership all the time and I get that, but stuck in the middle is the poor old manager getting messages from above to dictate to below and the staff below complaining that their voices are never heard...how do you manage that? How do you motivate your staff when you are the linchpin of that illusive 'Golden Thread' but there are some days when you too wish you were somewhere else instead with all the pressures on you.
That is where I come in with positive support and coping strategies for the guys out there doing the job.
There is a new brand and a new website coming but WW will be around for a while yet as I transfer from one to the other. It is still about the Wellbeing but less confusing for those who think I have a holistic slant.
As my coach said to me this week...you like to work with people who are already on the move, just need more direction and focus on their wheel. So true.
I have been so busy coaching (yeh!), networking (I am turning into a right little networking queen) & developing the new business. I am excited to announce that the niche is at last there...and it found me rather than the other way around.
I have been coaching a number of managers recently and combined my 20 years managing experience with the skills I have to develop people and motivate them to change...so the new brand is all about Management Development.
Everyone goes on about Leadership all the time and I get that, but stuck in the middle is the poor old manager getting messages from above to dictate to below and the staff below complaining that their voices are never heard...how do you manage that? How do you motivate your staff when you are the linchpin of that illusive 'Golden Thread' but there are some days when you too wish you were somewhere else instead with all the pressures on you.
That is where I come in with positive support and coping strategies for the guys out there doing the job.
There is a new brand and a new website coming but WW will be around for a while yet as I transfer from one to the other. It is still about the Wellbeing but less confusing for those who think I have a holistic slant.
As my coach said to me this week...you like to work with people who are already on the move, just need more direction and focus on their wheel. So true.
Saturday, 1 February 2014
Another busy week
This week I made huge decisions, 2 in fact. But I can't share either of them just yet.
I suppose the truth is that I really have had enough of working for managers with so few people management skills, as much as I wanted this all to balance and work properly.
But for WW to pay my mortgage, I have a lot to do. And I am going to do it.
I love coaching people and I know coaching is effective and can change a life...though I still cringe when people say that what I do is Life Coaching. And you all know that I am looking to widen that and get into working with people who suffer. People who week in, week out go to work wanting so hard to deliver, so hard to contribute but their managers don't have a clue.
I sat in bed the other night tracing my work history. Thinking through the poor manager I have had who have inspired me...usually to leave and find a new job. I also thought of the good managers, like the Sgt in the police who encouraged me to take my exam despite my misgivings (and I passed) and the area mgr in the pub trade who let me manage. LET THEM MANAGE... that's what you employed them for and that's what you pay them for...and if they can't then I can share how.
Exciting times folks.
Happy Feb everyone. x
I suppose the truth is that I really have had enough of working for managers with so few people management skills, as much as I wanted this all to balance and work properly.
But for WW to pay my mortgage, I have a lot to do. And I am going to do it.
I love coaching people and I know coaching is effective and can change a life...though I still cringe when people say that what I do is Life Coaching. And you all know that I am looking to widen that and get into working with people who suffer. People who week in, week out go to work wanting so hard to deliver, so hard to contribute but their managers don't have a clue.
I sat in bed the other night tracing my work history. Thinking through the poor manager I have had who have inspired me...usually to leave and find a new job. I also thought of the good managers, like the Sgt in the police who encouraged me to take my exam despite my misgivings (and I passed) and the area mgr in the pub trade who let me manage. LET THEM MANAGE... that's what you employed them for and that's what you pay them for...and if they can't then I can share how.
Exciting times folks.
Happy Feb everyone. x
Saturday, 25 January 2014
Busy morning in The Wishing Well
I have enjoyed sitting in the Wishing Well, sharing my thoughts on coaching with the staff and clients who pop in for a coffee and a natter. I am sat here now looking around me at a busy room full of ladies putting the world to rights as we do.
I had my own putting the world to rights last night when I spent some time with a friend of mine who is a senior manager in the Education sector. I wanted his opinion on how to take WW forward as I had had a really unusual day.
So yesterday, I turned up at an organisation to find out that the clients I was intending to coach, to support them in their own professional development, had all recently received notice of redundancy. I have been in a similar place myself and I knew talking to them that focus and direction was far from where I could take them on that day. In fact I was surprised that their Exec had not called me to rearrange or even cancel the work I am doing, but then there is the contract.
Anyway, I sat and listened and did my best to draw out the positive as there always is positive, even if you can't see the woods from the trees when you are in the middle of all this.
And last night I needed to share (without breaking confidentiality) because we all need to share at times. And my friend listened and supported and gave me some great idea for the future, so I owe him a big thank you for the time, especially as he had had a very long day himself.
People are so important to us all, sharing and giving. Great to be in a positive space listening to the energy in the room.
I had my own putting the world to rights last night when I spent some time with a friend of mine who is a senior manager in the Education sector. I wanted his opinion on how to take WW forward as I had had a really unusual day.
So yesterday, I turned up at an organisation to find out that the clients I was intending to coach, to support them in their own professional development, had all recently received notice of redundancy. I have been in a similar place myself and I knew talking to them that focus and direction was far from where I could take them on that day. In fact I was surprised that their Exec had not called me to rearrange or even cancel the work I am doing, but then there is the contract.
Anyway, I sat and listened and did my best to draw out the positive as there always is positive, even if you can't see the woods from the trees when you are in the middle of all this.
And last night I needed to share (without breaking confidentiality) because we all need to share at times. And my friend listened and supported and gave me some great idea for the future, so I owe him a big thank you for the time, especially as he had had a very long day himself.
People are so important to us all, sharing and giving. Great to be in a positive space listening to the energy in the room.
Sunday, 12 January 2014
New Year , New Year, How busy?!!
As we know, this time of year is traditionally time for us to think about where we have got to in life and what we want to change in the future...This is ultimately the definition of coaching.
I have not chosen a NY's resolution to follow, not because everything is just as I want it but because as a coach, I am constantly questioning and developing. I have set a couple of business goals though after a brilliant session with a businesswoman where we swapped thoughts and challenges. So...
2014 will bring a new brand. I can not keep going on about bad management and my ultimate desire to work with managers to give them the confidence to manage without me making the move to get into corporate, so here I come in 2014.
Also, I am going to do some group coaching using the fab setting of the Wishing Well (http://www.wellbeingbromsgrove.co.uk/) to give everyone an affordable option when it comes to coaching and it is so much fun; sharing goals and solutions.
So here is the poster to go with the idea. I will be sitting, drinking wonderful coffee waiting for you all to visit and ask about coaching over the next 2 weeks. No obligation, just pop in, say Hi and enjoy a good chat!
Happy New Year,
Launa
xxx
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