NEWSLETTER FOR AUGUST 2007

Coach of the Month - August

Name

Lorna Reid

Company

Lorna Reid Coaching and Marketing
www.lornareid.com
lorna@lornareid.com

Background

I launched Lorna Reid Coaching in 2002 after 15 years in the design and communications industry. As a Marketing Director I worked with senior people in numerous leading UK brands and organisations on major re-branding and communications projects. This has given me great insight into the diverse cultures and strategies of a wide range of businesses. The listening skills used in marketing are similar to coaching in that your role is to understand the goals of the business and to explore strategies with the client to achieve those goals.

What Inspired You To Go Into Coaching?

In the creative industry where your product is creativity of the people around you it is vital the teams feel motivated to produce great work that clients will love. I increasingly became interested in the correlation between leadership style and the impact it has on the effectiveness of individuals and teams. The defining moment for me was when a former boss transformed their leadership style (almost over night) after being coached. The positive cascade through the business was inspirational. I knew then that I wanted to work in the area of coaching and motivation. I believe that the wellbeing of individuals is at the heart of a healthy business.

Key Qualifications & Training

Post Graduate, Executive Coaching Strathclyde University
CPD of Professional Development in Performance Coaching,
University of Strathclyde
Certificate in Counselling Skills,
COSCA (Council for Psychotherapy and Counselling Scotland)
Post Graduate Marketing Diploma, Napier University
Communications Diploma, Napier University
Certificate in Physical Education and Community Study, Telford College

Specialist Areas of Coaching

Executive and management one-to-one coaching
Tutoring and facilitation
Workshops and motivational speaking on coaching and marketing

Currently Reading

Now Discover Your Strengths, by Marcus Buckingham & Donald O. Clifton. I am recommending this book to everyone at the moment! The focus is on how to develop your talents and those of the people you manage, by identifying and nurturing their key strengths rather than majoring on development of their weaknesses. It is an enlightening read and potentially transformational. When you start to think of yourself in terms of your strengths, rather than wasting energy thinking about your weaknesses, it places you in a far more positive place and creates a positive energy flow. If your glass is already half-full, perhaps it will be flowing over after reading this!

Greatest Coaching Moment

After only two sessions, a client told me that their increased levels of self-awareness had helped to transform how they operate in business, resulting in winning major business deals. They have also been amazed how their work-life balance has benefited too.

What Are Your Coaching Plans Over the Next Year?

I love the tutoring work I do with CFM Consulting and really enjoy working with students and getting feedback on their coaching experiences. It is always really satisfying to hear their success stories and how coaching is benefiting their work. Equally I love the challenge of working in the moment in one-to-one coaching sessions. No two sessions are ever the same and I find this keeps me fresh and alive.
In addition to this, I am being asked to do more conference and motivational ‘break out’ session work. I love having the freedom to explore new areas and ideas.

Continuous Professional Development

Following on from the Post Grad in Executive Coaching, at Strathclyde University last year, I am keen to add to my qualifications. I am also reading as much as I can to explore different concepts and coaching tools.

Philosophy

“Listen with integrity and the client’s vision and goals in your head and heart”