Thoughts & Articles

Thoughts&Articles

Please feel free to read our articles below. click the PFD icon to access the following subjects.

Leadership for the future
Fire-Fighting Organisations
Self limiting beliefs
Executive Assessment and Energy Allocation
Doing & Being
Generation X & Y
Perfectionism articles
Leadership Career Derailers
Developing Your Leadership Career
How and why what we say affects our effectiveness as a leader
Fear and the role the brain plays

May not suit all organizations, as he calls things as he sees them and always wants to challenge people to bring out their maximum potential.
Has a practical understanding of the real world of people and organisations.
I trust the information I share with Alastair will remain confidential. I feel a strong sense that Alastair's not judging, he’s just trying to help me work out what's important to me, helping me understand that it's okay. Then giving me ideas about how to get where I want to be.
Experienced - able to provide a wealth of tools; play’s devils advocate and see things from my perspective.
A friend - willing to listen and share opinions over lunch via e-mail or on the phone.
Challenging : I won't be able to wriggle off the hook of the things that we discovered were important to me during the course of our coaching sessions
Someone to turn to, someone I can recommend.
The recommendations and guidance that Alastair offers can influence your thinking in terms of strategic thinking, finance, working capital and key stakeholder management.
The style of coaching is probing and relentless which can be tough - holding a mirror up to yourself, and positive in taking ownership of the issues
A thoroughly good guy and I would recommend him.
He knows when he is useful to a business and when he isn't, and will recommend other avenues as appropriate but won't engage just for the sake of it - a very valuable selling point.
Even when the piece of work is done he makes you feel you can talk, e-mail or ring him anytime. Is this added value? I believe so
He helps you realise you, and how you could [should you choose] take a different direction, decision, course of action.
It's all about you!!
He makes you feel that you are the most important person in the room and even though he challenges some of your actions / comments, it is constructive, whilst probing - and ultimately trying to find a route to the inner you!
Prepared to keep in touch. A mentor for the Long Term, not just an immediate "quick fixer".
Professional advice, based on a deep understanding of what "makes people tick".
A confidential approach; his advice is based on sound psychometrics and the understanding of behaviors.
He’s aware of the choices that we have in life, at work etc, and tries hard to get others to see this.
A hard task master
Professional - sets clear boundaries and ground rules.
Supportive, helpful and approachable.
Focused on his clients needs Insightful - able to quickly get to the heart of personal development needs and priorities.
Experienced at coaching at Executive Level .
Many of the materials that Alastair shared with me, I now use.
I feel Alastair cares. It is far removed from a sterile business transaction which it can feel like when you are having "coaching"!.
He tries to keep his personal self invisible
Bloody homework! Alastair pushes this one!
One to One Coaching: Varied use of models. Challenges out of comfort zone . Only wants to deal with individuals who are committed to self-development.
His Approach - No Nonsense. Logical and Pragmatic. Clear objectives from the outset, which are adapted to the changing situation. Boundaries are clearly defined and you know what you are going to get. You can't kid him. Complete confidentiality.
He has the knack of coupling rapport building with being able to connect almost instantaneously with individual issues that require challenge.
A person who brings people into account.
Fair and consistent. Shows an interest and understands his subject matter. Experience, thought provoking, focused on me. Down to earth. Holds confidentiality
Makes me find the answers. Wealth of knowledge and experience that allows him to understand the battles of working life between self, family and work
Challenges to the edge and then goes a little more. Explains things in a simple language. Reminds me of the basics of management and what MY style is. No MBA waffle!
He really means it when he says he is with you every step of the way.
He gives so generously of his time and self. He has been a great role model
The fun you have with him. His energy and dynamism. His ability to provoke. Makes you think. So Sharp witted. You work hard. Time flies. Your brain aches. Boy does he challenge you. Totally safe and supportive.
Really incisive - he gets to the heart of things. Great intellect but not overtly intellectual so not intimidating on that score.
Good breadth and depth covering wide market sectors
Clear thinking without sentiment, always willing to say the difficult thing
Alastair has a raised self awareness and is able to help you reflect and consider the "people issues".
Understands the importance of relationships in achieving goals.
Very knowledgeable with some great insights in terms of people and companies he has worked with and for.
Very engaging and professionally dedicated.
Perhaps it comes down to style. I like the hard, sometimes harsh, approach
Alastair is strong in his views but always allows others to be strong in theirs.
Experienced - able to provide a wealth of tools, and play’s devils advocate
Executive Development: Brilliant at delivering Leadership Development.
Puts a lot of himself into his delivery; professional at all times;
He does not suffer fools gladly.
Taps into the business he is dealing with and makes sessions come alive for them.
Makes people feel that he really understands their business almost as if he works there. Challenging and straight talking .Good pace and stretching in the right places. Use of models and credible authorities on business and leadership subjects.
Communicates really well at all levels.
He has the ability to get into the mindset of people very quickly
Its his personality - the material he uses can be reproduced or printed, however it is Alastair's style of bringing it alive and making it real in a non-critical way for individuals to learn and develop.
Able very quickly to assess your business needs in both a positive and "positively critical fashion".
Has a different perspective. Tough and uncompromising. Quick and decisive - real urgency for change and progress. Won't allow himself to be compromised either.
Provides a good range of services from personal coaching to company level strategy development
He has an excellent awareness of the global picture and how that may impact on your business.
He demonstrates excellent attention to the audience / topic - exhibited by remembering what has been said by whom etc. That is, he makes it all very personalised rather than quoting standard bland bookwork stuff.
He appears to work very hard and it can be seen that he has researched the company/situation/brief before starting; he follows up on actions/progress.
He says what he thinks in a friendly or light hearted manner which cuts through the pussy footing around displayed by some consultants
Excellent ability to listen to the customer and work with them to reach agreed solutions.
A good professional who talks a lot of sense. Logical and pragmatic. Thought provoking. Committed to delivering a great service.