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Why is leadership style important?
MORE TIME COMMUNICATING
The more senior a leader becomes the more time they spend communicating, influencing and engaging others. Therefore a leader’s ability to read and understand the behaviour of others, adapt their leadership style accordingly, and build strong relationships at all levels, greatly impacts their ability to achieve results.
OVER RELIANCE ON KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Technical expertise is an expectation, but no longer a differentiator for leadership success. Executive presence, motivation and inspiration, and building buy-in of those around them will trump technical brilliance in a leader, every time.
RELATIONSHIPS DRIVE RESULTS
Research shows that people judge the messenger long before they judge the message and their judgements colour the way the message is received [1]. Given that as humans we judge people instinctively on two measures – first warmth, then strength [2), a leader’s style - how they ]are perceived by those around them - needs to be both approachable and authoritative.
What leaders discover through the coaching process is that they don't need to become someone else. This is not about a personality transplant or perfect leadership. This is about increasing awareness, building flexibility and choice and becoming the best version of themselves possible. All a leader needs to succeed in coaching is commitment, coachability, clarity and courage.
Why choose coaching?
Why choose a professional?
Clients appreciate coaches who are:
Experts in their field;
Confidential and independent;
Flexible in their approach to suit the client’s needs;
Prepared to be direct without fear of political or career reprisals.
Anneli specialises in helping leaders improve influence, engagement and professional impact.
The iWAM profiling instrument
Anneli favours the Inventory for Work Attitude and Motivations as way to gain insight into the intrinsic drivers of behaviour in the workplace. The tool provides a useful perspective for her clients to understand what drives them to act and communicate in certain ways, and how those behaviours and communication styles are perceived by others.
The Motivational Map was an eye opener for many of our team who had not experienced profiling before. Even though our program was run online, Corrinne and Anneli kept everyone engaged. The timing and breakout out conversations kept people focussed and created an excellent vibe. The learning has continued with teams having further conversations about their insights, what this means for the team, and how they can help one another. - Craig Sandy, Surveyor-General of Victoria
Testimonials
Internal Communication Lead, Big 4 accounting firm
Anneli helped me discover my own sense of agency and coached me into my next role, encouraging me to step up and own the space.
Kylie Rusten
Partner, Ernst and Young
“I’ve used coaches on occasion during my career, and to be honest I haven’t really gotten a lot from the experience. So, when more recently I was looking to do things a little differently at work, it was recommended that I use a coach for guidance. I nodded in a passive aggressive way and parked the suggestions. I did however, mull over it over several months and after hearing some interesting comments from colleagues about their coach, I thought I should give it another go. I’m now the first to admit my first session with Anneli was life changing. She heard me out and really listened. She understood what I was saying (and didn’t just follow up with “what do you think you should do?”) She was able to articulate things back so clearly and gave great insights into people, reactions, personalities and perceptions in the workplace. She clearly knew her stuff. She provided alternatives and suggestions of how to look and deal with things in a different way. Things to try and things to avoid. I’ve implemented a lot more changes (some big and others just a tweak) in a shorter period of time than I thought was possible. I can’t thank her enough.
Peter
CFO in the Automotive Industry
I was skeptical about the value of coaching at first. I wasn't sure about sharing information or exposing my weaknesses, but have found it extremely useful. I had great feedback from my staff members that I have shown a considerable transformation since I started working with Anneli on my leadership skills. I've focused on listening more, asking more questions and showing greater patience. Coaching has also helped me understand myself and others better as well as helping me adapt my behavior depending on my audience. Self improvement looks to me like a never ending challenge, but I really feel great support from Anneli on that journey.
Sarah Gaidzkar
Associate General Counsel, Envato
Anneli’s coaching approach in first understanding and then applying effective leadership skills through self-awareness has led me to being a more effective leader. I've seen my decision making becoming more decisive and effective where I align it to my professional values.
Alexandra Collins
Talent Manager, EY
The time for coaching was just right for me. I treasure the coaching journey with Anneli through the guided conversations by being a fantastic listener, with a pragmatic approach on how to manage specific situations. From day one, I trusted her and after every conversation I felt empowered and energized as allowed me to discuss a wide range of thoughts and ideas with Anneli. On numerous occasions, Anneli went beyond the coach, was acting like a mentor providing strategies and lessons that help me in dealing with encountered matters. Anneli helped to build on my strengths and my confidence to speak up, was very supportive and taught me valuable advice through her deep and broad experience. I cherish the relationship we built through her positive attitude, un-biased lens and guidance. I will definitely work with Anneli again.
I loved, enjoyed, treasured every single session we had together. I am grateful to Anneli and strongly recommend Anneli Blundell to anyone who is looking for a coach who can make a difference in your life!
Tony Kenney
Partner, EY
I have often thought about what coaching would be like and the value it would bring. Every professional sports player has a coach so why wouldn't we. I always had a feeling that my personal traits were deeply ingrained that they would be hard to change. But having that "someone else" outside of your work or social network that you can truly lay it on the line to, tell it as you see it and get some external advice was extremely cathartic. Anneli was a great listener, extremely empathetic and provided some great advice that matched my style and values. She definitely helped me understand it wasn't about changing myself or style but embracing and empowering my style. I believe it will have a long lasting effect, even after the last session. Thanks for helping Anneli! I feel like you were the right coach for me.
A. Koh
Ernst & Young
My journey with Anneli has been extremely valuable to both my professional and personal growth. I looked forward to my monthly sessions with Anneli as she helped me navigate challenging circumstances and overcome my barriers. The outcome of each session led to a different learning experience. I particularly value Anneli's insight to human behaviours and she is definitely a people whisperer. The impact of my professional coaching can be seen more holistically in my personal life as well. Anneli takes a genuine interest in the personal growth of her clients and I cannot recommend her more highly.
SB
Senior Advisor
Victorian Government
I knew I wanted to work with Anneli after attending a workshop on empowering women that she ran for the Victorian Government with a great deal of enthusiasm. I was very keen when the opportunity arose through a leadership development program at work to do more work with Anneli through professional coaching.
Professional coaching triggered some emotions and raised issues for me that had been deeply buried inside for a long time, and I found Anneli was a trusted, non-judgemental guide to supporting my journey of self discovery and awareness. She also was able to challenge me in a way that was professional, respectful and honest. I would recommend Anneli to anyone who is ready to undergo a level of transformation professionally or personally.
Miled Abdulnour
General Manager, NBN Dark Fibre Delivery, NBN Transit Delivery
Telstra
I have been working closely with Anneli Blundell - Executive Coach for over 12 months. Utilising Anneli’s executive development and coaching expertise helped create a personalised learning framework which has enabled me to expand my leadership capability incrementally, and yet maintain the focus on taking my broader team on the same journey. Anneli offers a unique and powerful solution to leadership development through a variety of coaching tools and insights.
Anneli’s professionalism and dedication to her coaching discipline has been incredibly valuable to me and my organisation. This coaching program provided an opportunity for me to reflect and focus on what will create the most leverage in my life and business.
Anneli’s coaching approach unlocked and expanded paradigms that enabled phenomenal personal and professional growth. The experience was about building, developing and applying effective leadership skills through self-leadership and enhanced self-awareness that led to clearer and more effective decision making that totally aligned with personal and corporate values.
To date, my work with Anneli has been a motivational and inspiring experience and I would recommend Anneli to any executive wishing to expand and stretch their own or their team’s leadership capability.
Jon Eaves
Chief Architect
REA Group
I had the pleasure to engage Anneli to provide communication coaching. It was possibly the single most important personal development I've received in my career, and was delivered with incredible skill, patience and thoroughness. I found the coaching with Anneli was incredibly thought-provoking and fascinating. The way that I was stretched to think about things that I've not considered before was very positive and I am very satisfied with the outcomes that were achieved. Anneli took great care to understand my particular issues, and aligned the coaching specifically for the results I needed - it was a thoroughly professional engagement.
Grant Johnston
Business Operations Manager
Telstra
Many thanks for your time and support along my journey so far. Your challenging questioning methods and supporting behavioural modelling has provided a safe and supportive environment for me to analyse my operating model and to take on board courage experiments to change what was comfortable. Over the course of my sessions I made a bold step to change my career direction and to take on a role in a new field and to pick up line responsibility for staff. The coaching sessions have guided me in establishing a high trust base with my DR’s and to set operating guidelines in the form of psychological contracts between myself and my team members.
My only constructive criticism of the process has been that 4 sessions have flown by and whilst we have achieved a lot during this time, I hope that future coachees of the Telstra Top Talent program are able to spend more session time with quality coaches like Anneli. A well worthwhile experience that I thank Telstra for allowing me to participate in.
Contact Anneli today to see how she can help
[1] Cuddy, A. J., Kohut, M., & Neffinger, J. (2013, July-August). Connect, Then Lead. Harvard Business Review . Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2013/07/connect-then-lead/ar/.
[2] Ibid
[3] Deloitte (2015, March), The leadership premium: How companies win the confidence of investors’
[4] Zenger, J., & Folkman, J. (2013, January 24). Bad Leaders Can Change Their Spots. Retrieved from Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2013/01/good-news-poor-leaders-can-cha/
[5] Davies, A., Fidler, D., & Gorbis, M. (2011). Future Work Skills 2020. Retrieved from www.iftf.org.
[6] Zenger, J. H., Folkman, J., & Edinger, S. (2011 October). Making Yourself Indispensable. Retrieved from Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2011/10/making-yourself-indispensable
[7] Van Velson, E., McCauley, C. D., & Ruderman, M. N. (2010). The Center for Creative Leadership: Handbook of Leadership Development. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass a Wiley Imprint.
[8] Beck, R., & Harter, J. (2015, Apil 21). Managers Account for 70% of Variance in Employee Engagement. Retrieved from: Gallup.com: http://www.gallup.com/businessjournal/182792/managers-account-variance-employee-engagement.aspx?utm_source=EMPLOYEE_ENGAGEMENT&utm_medium=topic&utm_campaign=tiles
[9] McKinsey&Company. (n.d.). The State of Human Capital 2012 False Summit. Retrieved from www.conferenceboard.org: https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/dotcom/client_service/Organization/PDFs/State_of_human_capital_2012.ashx
[10] Deloitte University Press, (2015), 2015 Global Human Capital Trends report: Leading in the new world of work
[11] Horwitch, M, & Whipple, M (2014, June). Leaders who inspire: A 21st century approach to developing your talent.
[12] Kirkpatrick Ph.D., J., & Kirkpatrick, W. K. (2009, April). The Kirkpatrick Four Levels: A fresh look after 50 years 1959–2009.