Springboard helps health consultancy
Leadership Coaching
Team and 1:1 coaching have helped the managing director of an international heath consultancy steer her company through a massive growth spurt over the past three years
“Soraya was really good for me in this new role, helping me define my objectives in line with my personal values and where I wanted to go,” says Christine, who joined an international health consultancy in 2006.
Christine’s consultancy provides technical help to the health sector, particularly to governments in developing countries. Christine’s challenge was to move into managing large contracts in partnership with other development agencies.
The results of coaching have been spectacular. Before Christine joined, the company’s largest win was a £100,000 project. Compare that with the first three projects Christine brought in – each worth an average of £15m each. During her tenure, the consultancy’s website has been overhauled, the UK-office team has trebled in size and she has incorporated a new management structure.
Playing to Christine and her team’s strengths
Soraya worked with Christine and her UK team to identify their values and play to their strengths. Some of the staff in their 20s were taking on new roles to manage multi-million pound government contracts. Coaching helped turn their youthful exuberance into an asset.
“Soraya helped people step up into the role. We had a young team, some of whose principal work had only been with us. She helped them build confidence to share new ideas and contribute to solutions rather than focus on criticising what was impacting them externally.”
Springboard also helped Christine feel more comfortable with her own personal leadership style. She had spent most of her career in Africa where the traditional management style is masculine. And in her current role she works to a board of men, mostly 10-20 years older than her. At first Christine was reticent about doing things her way.
Becoming a more inclusive leader
“In some of my presentations I felt I should be less participative and more directive. But that’s not my style. Soraya showed me articles about women’s styles of leadership and young people’s styles,” says Christine.
“I realised how managers were moving out of a hierarchical approach and encouraging leadership and innovative thinking from other directions. So I had the confidence to listen to what the Board were asking for and deliver it in my own way.”
“My leadership style is to bring my team on and push them in front of me taking credit for the areas they have led on, not feeling fearful of mistakes but using them to learn and building confidence in the process. If I hadn’t had coaching with Soraya I would have been trying to work against my strengths.”
Building a tight team
Christine describes her team as a ”really great bunch of people to work with” and she’s proud of the spirit of openness and trust they have all created.
“I have a group of people who are very supportive of me in leading them. We have been able to have very frank and open discussions, which have included disagreements. We have managed to create a space where great things are possible.”
To find out more about how Springboard helps leaders inspire trust in their teams call Springboard on 08456 180 450.
