personal development

Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company
– Mark Twain

When you undertake a major project from start-up to realisation, you learn a lot of new skills. You also learn a lot about yourself. You have the expertise, the energy and the determination to see it through, but you can sometimes neglect your most important resource in the drive to get things done.

You need an equally strong commitment to your own well-being from the get-go; a process of continual maintenance and self-awareness rather than sporadic crisis management. This puts you in a much better place to manage every situation that may arise.

Nigel is a qualified counsellor and therapist who has practiced in Australia for over ten years. His focus has been upon workplace and relationship issues, conflict resolution and assertiveness training. As a creative director and business owner, he has seen the benefits from both sides of the fence. As part of our mentoring programme, we have the necessary skills and experience to offer a range of personal development strategies for both individuals and groups.

Coaching and Assertiveness Training

The self-confidence to express yourself clearly and positively to co-workers and partners is good for you, and also good for them. Too often we are constrained by our surroundings and a sensitivity to the needs of others. We may allow ourselves to be led down paths that we do not wish to follow and unable to articulate a preferred direction for fear of creating conflict within the group. We keep things to ourselves to that point where we have no option but to speak our mind, when perhaps we are at our least objective. There is a popular misconception that assertiveness goes hand-in-hand with domineering, destructive behaviours, but nothing could be further from the truth. We have considerable experience in coaching clients in the benefits of assertive interaction; to blend clarity, confidence and consideration for others with a keen awareness of  the positive outcomes for everyone.

Workplace Issues

We spend a great deal of time at work. In the highly-charged environment of the start-up business, work can become our entire life. We have chosen to work together because we respect one another and share a common goal. We are content to work hard, to share the load and acknowledge our individual skills. From time to time there will be friction, and for the most part we work things out. Unfortunately, in some instances, solutions are less simple to find and here is where we can help. As part of our assertiveness programme, we teach clients the positive value of transparent self-expression. In mediating  workplace issues, we bring our clients together and encourage a similar interaction. We can also provide coaching sessions and seminars that help you create and maintain the ideal working environment.

Stress Management

So much may be completely new. A new country, a new city, a new workplace or perhaps a new group of colleagues. You love to work hard and you are good at what you do, but you can rapidly lose a sensible balance between work and life. A certain amount of stress is understandable, and indeed desirable in maximising your efficiency. Managing this within a clear appreciation of your limits and what you might reasonably expect of yourself will enable you to work more efficiently and avoid burnout. We can provide  individual programmes or group sessions to alleviate workplace stress, establish preventative strategies and effective relaxation techniques.

Presentation and Public Speaking

You know exactly what you are about, but presenting to others can be truly intimidating. You have a great deal riding on a successful presentation, but fear that you lack the self-confidence to take advantage of the opportunity. This of course makes things considerably worse. Whilst it is fair to say that the best public speaking skills are acquired through getting out there and doing it, we may have lacked the opportunity  and it’s a little late to start.

We can help you to build the necessary confidence and project your ideas with clarity and enthusiasm. You have great ideas and demonstrating these to others should be a pleasure and not a pain. We apply well-tried coaching techniques and practice sessions that are consistently successful. We can also help with the preparation of the perfect pitch.