Barbara Nixon
Success and Leadership Coaching for Business Leaders
the success of your business depends on your leadership team
Here’s the thing…in a business, everyone is looking up.
So it’s fundamental that your leadership team are able to lead their teams, the business and lead themselves effectively, to ensure that everything is running smoothly.
When this happens, and the Senior Leaders are also all working together as a unit, magic happens, and this results in a positive ripple effect to all areas of the business.
The thing is that when things get busy this isn’t always easy to do, and so senior leaders can find themselves getting sucked into the weeds of the day to day, focusing on their particular function and just trying to keep their heads above water.
This then leads to poor communication, silo working and a lack of understanding of how they are impacting other departments and their own teams. It can also lead to not fully understanding or communicating the strategic direction of the business causing them to get stuck in reactive mode and lurching from one thing to another.
This is why leadership development days really do work.
A day to really focus on themselves and the team as whole, away from the day to day and to see things from a completely different perspective.
Can you relate to this?
✔️ You feel like you’re constantly fire fighting, and your senior team always seem to require your attention even though they’re senior leaders.
✔️ Your team are working in silos and focusing on their own function without thinking about the business as a whole.
✔️ Your team are working well together but they need to step up and elevate as the business is growing and requires more from them.
✔️ You want your team to grow in confidence as leaders to take the business to the next level.
✔️ You want some time away from the day to day to focus on the development as a team, to develop and understand each other better.
✔️ You value development as a team and taking time out to learn is important to you and the business.
Barbara is an extremely engaging person and has the rare ability of being able to develop a keen understanding of an individual or situation accurately and efficiently.
Through her insight and her undoubted and very understated intellect, Barbara has been able to assist in helping support key members of my team, identifying where change is both wanted and required and being able to tailor a coaching programme for each person, designed to help them and the business achieve ongoing progress and improvement.
Barbara is very engaging, extremely good fun and someone that others find it easy to relate to and engage with. Her various tools, including some expert advice on reading materials along with practical and everyday training aids and techniques are both inspiring and effective. Comfortable in communicating at any level, Barbara is a person I would strongly recommend if you or your business is in need of change, inspiration or wishes to challenge the status quo in order to keep moving forwards.”
– NOEL KERSHAW, CEO, DELI FRESH
HOW WE WORK TOGETHER
This isn’t another training workshop or team build. In fact, it’s so much more than that.
What I offer is a healthy fusion of coaching, mentoring, consulting and development all rolled into one day!
I’ve worked with thousands of Leaders over the years, from Managing Directors, CEO’s, Directors and Senior Managers to help them see things from a different perspective, upgrade their thinking, habits, and elevate as a high performing leader in their company, to get the results that they really want and need.
I also understand business – so everything we talk about is tied back into practical application. This isn’t just a nice day out.
Leadership development days enable leaders see their own behaviour from a different perspective, raise their self awareness and how they are impacting the people around them as well as the business, and to get together with their peers to improve how they work together as a team.
The sessions are free flowing and always go in the direction of the team whilst always understanding the needs of the business. Sessions feel relaxed, and individuals are able to open up, and share, all whilst their thinking is being challenged.
Each person then leaves with their own actions to put into practice, as well as a team action plan for them to continue to work on after the session, and full accountability is put into place to ensure actions are taken and you don’t just go back to old ways of working.
“I needed support as my company was expanding year on year and with strong business growth in each department, we had key people that required my managerial time. I particularly liked the way Barbara identified the areas where I needed to improve and reduce my unnecessary workload.
I was initially concerned as I felt these tasks were my responsibility, my ownership, but I needed to release them to allow time to create a team like no other. What I found was that I could concentrate on each department for the good of the company which drove confidence throughout the departments. The results were amazing as I have more confidence in myself talking to very experienced managers and understanding their needs from the business, and importantly my requirements for each department.
We are a company where all departments are now thinking and working actively together making key decisions at the right time. None of this would have been achievable without Barbara’s expertise, so I would wholly recommend Barbara – what are you waiting for?
– IAN BENNETT – MANAGING DIRECTOR, BENNETTS POTATOES
LET me give you the details
There are 4 different packages depending on your needs. All days are a fusion of group coaching, training and group exercises all with an intention of growing as individuals and as a team, and are perfect for a board of Directors or Senior Leaders.
– A one off leadership day – This is for an established team who are wanting to hit the re-set button and learn how to better work as individuals and as a team. A great way to ‘draw a line in the sand’ and start afresh or to get ready for new business challenges.
– 4 x Leadership Days – One full day every 3 months throughout the year. Accountability for actions is also offered via whatsapp, or email and each session builds on the previous one.
– Group Coaching programme for your Leadership Team – One group coaching day every 3 months throughout the year, full accountability in between sessions via whatsapp / email, and each member of the Leadership team to receive 12 one to one coaching sessions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The full development days are face to face at a mutually convenient location, away from your office so the team can completely focus on what we’re doing.
“Working with Barbara has enabled me to shape and implement a set of personal objectives that have materially improved my performance as a leader. Barbara has that natural ability to make you recognise your own potential and help to guide you towards it. Therefore, due to her help and advice I have grown more confident in my role being able to look at different approaches then focusing on taking action. Barbara has been instrumental in helping me to ‘hold a mirror’ to myself in order to see myself as others do. Barbara is enlightening, inspiring and reflective. I would definitely recommend Barbara’s coaching services.”
– JIM SMITH – MANAGING DIRECTOR
“I can’t tell you how many times this week I’ve told friends, colleagues, clients and people I’ve only just met that this wonderful woman has ‘saved my life’. By encouraging me to address personal issues and take action to unlock my true potential. So this week I’m a) grateful that I met Barbara Nixon b) have this wonderful woman in my corner and c) that I chose her to be my coach.”
– SAMARI CAKALI – MANAGING DIRECTOR
“I was looking for a coach to help me with a specific issue and, after an initial cuppa and chat, I knew that Barbara was the person I needed to work with! She listened to me, understood me and reassured me which made me feel relaxed, comfortable and confident. She helped me work through the issue by helping me understand, rationalise and come up with my own solutions by helping me to get to the core of the issue.At the same time it always felt Barbara was there with me, metaphorical arm around my shoulder, guiding and encouraging. She makes the complex feel uncomplicated and after every session I felt positive and inspired. Thank you Barbara! I look forward to working with you more as a trusted guide on my business journey.
– ANDY BENNETT – MANAGING DIRECTOR
“I have been working with Barbara for around 18 months and the support she has given me has been invaluable. When we first met I had some seriously ingrained habits that were affecting every part of my life. With Barbara’s help and guidance I have managed to turn it completely around. I’m like a different person. I feel more in control, have more confidence and more importantly I am much happier at work and home. Imposter syndrome has been defeated! I cannot recommend her coaching services highly enough.”
– CHARLOTTE THOMAS, CHIEF RISK OFFICER
“The last 6+ months working with Barbara has been superb, what a journey! My experience with Barbara’s coaching sessions has been nothing short of transformative. Through her expertise, empathy, support and challenge, (there were some tough questions!) Barbara has helped me break through my mental barriers, rediscover my potential, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. I wholeheartedly recommend Barbara to anyone seeking to elevate their personal and professional lives. Trust me; you won’t regret it!”
TONY BULLOCK, CHIEF RISK OFFICER
“There is no replacement for someone who is truly skilled in their field of expertise. Barbara is able to offer truly insightful viewpoints without a diagram or bar chart in sight.
My journey with Barbara has allowed me to grow as a senior leader, grow as a person and enhance the value I bring to my organisation.
The value she has provided me is immeasurable. There’s not many people that impress us so much we leave a meeting and say “wow”! Barbara is one of those people.”
MATTHEW JENNINGS, MANAGING DIRECTOR
“We have worked with Barbara for a number of years and she has supported our journey of transformation and equipping our people with skills for the future. She is now seen as one of the team which allows her to integrate and get a better understanding of our business and colleagues to have honest and productive conversations, I admire that she is not afraid to challenge to improve our performance. Barbara has delivered many programmes for us, sometimes quick emerging challenges such as during covid to long term strategic programme developing our leaders for the future.”
– JONATHAN TINNING, HEAD OF PEOPLE, FGH
“After working with Barbara over the past 6 months, I have more belief in my skills and attributes and now believe I can achieve what I have set out to do. I don’t let the opinion and shallow comments of others impact me – I actually stand taller! I’d describe the process as emotional. But in the right way. I went on such an unexpected journey that brought both tears and laughter. The honesty that I reflected on was unbelievable and that was through Barbara’s style of questioning. Barbara’s relaxed, informal and flexible. At times it felt like a conversation with a friend, but what came out of those conversations in terms of tangible results was amazing.”
– LISA AVINS – LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Barbara has worked with the senior leadership team at the Bone Cancer Research Trust for the last 6 months. She has provided us with flexible and tailored coaching to meet our needs as a new leadership team working through a time of change. Her sessions, which have been both 1-2-1 and as a group, have been invaluable – we have become a more efficient and effective team as a result, with what will hopefully be a long-lasting impact.
– LIZ EATOCK, DIRECTOR, BONE CANCER RESEARCH TRUST
I cannot recommend this fantastic lady enough. I’d lost sight of how to get where I wanted to go, and Barbara knew exactly how to hone in on what was needed. I now have a new way of looking at how I value my own time and different aspects of my business, meaning my way forward now makes perfect sense! I feel more empowered than ever to be able to achieve my goals. Thank you Barbara for your time, support and being so on the ball!!
– HELEN EARNSHAW, BUSINESS OWNER
“Barbara has been a great inspiration to me, providing practical and very valuable tools and skills to enable me to grow in my professional development. She has unlocked my confidence, and self belief, which has enabled me to achieve my true potential. I will be eternally grateful to her for believing in me and supporting me to reflect on my strengths. Thank you and look forward to seeing you in the future.”
– TRUDY MORRIS, HR DIRECTOR
“Barbara is an excellent coach – I have taken some great guidance and support from Barbara – she delivers her coaching in such an authentic way. I must also say her webinars and tool kits are modern and a great way of learning and putting one self first. Thanks for being great!
– KEVIN TROTT, SENIOR MANAGER
“Working with Barbara over six months has been life changing. She has introduced me to a new world of positive self talk which has helped me see life through a new pair of eyes. I felt like she got me from the very first meeting and understood my frame of reference. I now have tools to deal with the pressures of management but also every part of my life. Thanks for inspiring me!
– DAVID RYDER, COUNSELLOR
“I worked with Barbara over a 6 month period when I felt my career was at a cross roads. I had come out of a HRD role that was supporting a business during a particularly challenging time of it’s evolution, complete with all the pressure that entails. I worked with Barbara to focus on my own self development, re-set my core values and to think really hard about the direction to take my career next. She was thought provoking, challenging (in a good way) and very easy to relate to. I would thoroughly recommend Barbara to anyone suffering from burnout or lacking confidence to realise their own potential. She is inspirational, a great coach and a genuinely nice person.”
– JACQUI TAYLOR – HR DIRECTOR
“I worked with Barbara for over a year when she supported me during a particularly challenging period whilst I was in a business leadership role. She is fantastic to work with and offered great ideas and sound advice across a wide range of leadership topics that ultimately assisted me to drive the business in a positive direction. I highly recommend Barbara’s professional leadership coaching. Thank you for your fantastic support Barbara!
– PAUL SMITH – OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
“I started one to one coaching with Barbara as I was at a careers crossroad. Big birthday looming and not sure where I wanted to be, what role I wanted and then how to get there. I met with Barbara and quite quickly she helped me identify what I wanted career wise. It had always been there but had just been lost in overthinking, doubting myself etc. Barbara has this amazing ability to just ask the right question at the right time, and doesn’t accept wishy washy answers. It really helped me think and I feel incredibly supported.
Having identified where I wanted to be it was then about how I got there. Again, huge support and those great questions. I am now in a new role and loving it, but also prepared for any of those nagging doubts, with a plan of how to tackle them should they appear.
Again, thanks to Barbara. I highly recommend Barbara as a coach. She is incredibly open and energetic, but there’s also no getting away from those questions I’d been avoiding. What was important for me was a challenge – but in a supportive way, and that is what I got.”
– JENNIE VASS, SENIOR MANAGER, NHS