We won!

I saw the call for the awards email and deleted it… Three times.

Then I had a conversation with my client about how well the current Coaching skills program was going. I was feeling quite chuffed!

Then I saw the award email again, and this time I read it.

“HRD (Human Resource Director) Service Provider of the Year 2024 - applications open.”

Off the back of my uplifting chat with my client, I thought, why not?

I must confess I have a love/hate relationship with award submissions. Legitimate and highly sought-after awards, always require a lot of work. And so they should. You need to prove your worth to the judges and that takes time, effort, documentation and client support.

But the work is also rewarding because you get to gather data about a good news story; happy clients, strong results, changed lives. It’s always a worthy exercise, even if you don’t win. :)

AND of course it’s bloody fantastic when you DO win. Who doesn’t love that?!

And that’s how this story ended. With a win for the Bronze against an extremely strong and crowded pack of contenders. (Apparently this category had twice as many entrants as all the rest!)

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. I know the work you did to get on that list. I see you.

Congratulations to my team who make the work I get to do with my clients not only possible, but exceptional. I honour you.

And finally congratulations to my client Australia Post, (I’m looking at you Hanita Gandhi Elliot, Scott Johnson, Chelsea O' Reilly, and Gary Starr!).

Thank you for allowing me to submit the great work we’ve been doing together over the past 4 years and allowing the judges to see the commitment you have to support your leaders to be better coaches.

The results speak for themselves, and this win is but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the impact the program has had on the lives of your leaders at AP. Your leaders inspire me daily. I know this program is only as good as it is, because you demand excellence, and I thank you for that!!

Time for a celebratory drink!! (Except I don’t drink, so it’s time for a cup of tea for me!) Let’s raise a glass to the incredible impact coaching skills can have on a culture, and the hard work of all those involved to make it happen.

I salute you!