Executive Coaching and Mentoring

A senior executive role can be a lonely space. For two years Anne Riches has provided me with objective and direct support through a process of challenging my thinking, asking the difficult questions and motivating me to goals beyond my original horizon.

Anne’s capability as an experienced, wise and emotionally intelligent coach and mentor is second to none. Her insights into people, leadership, organisational change management and delivering impact have assisted me to focus and direct my energies in a most powerful and impactful manner.

I recommend Anne’s services to anyone seeking to stretch themselves to take on new opportunities with confidence and commitment.
– Managing Director, Black Dog Institute

When do you need a coach or mentor?

The answer is – most of the time. Anne still has a wonderful mentor, a sounding board for her ideas, plans and aspirations.

The business environment you work in is rapidly changing. You need to be able to handle ambiguity, complexity, velocity, uncertainty and competing demands.

However you won’t get maximum benefit from this journey unless you:

Have strong personal drive and a desire to grow
Are willing to put in the mental and emotional effort
Are prepared to ‘stay the course’ even if it is seriously challenging and hard work

Working with Anne you will explore how you can perform at your best in these conditions. In turn, you will increase your skills, confidence and motivation to coach and lead others.

I was initially reluctant to engage a professional mentor/coach. Thankfully, I decided to work with Anne & am very pleased with the result. At a point in my career where I needed to make decisions about what I would do next, Anne helped me focus my questions, understand my working preferences & build criteria for understanding & reviewing new opportunities.

Anne is great to work with, she challenged me where required, guided the meetings in a way which enabled me to identify & work through the topics & has ensured that I will have the ongoing ability to replicate the thought processes.
– Merchandise Manager Big W

Coaching and/or Mentoring

Sometimes a distinction is drawn is drawn between coaching and mentoring. The difference lies in the outcomes you want. Coaching usually is the description used when aiming for a specific result in a shorter duration.

Mentoring is a more rounded process that often has a longer time frame and focuses on the mentee developing through their career or life.

Inevitably, Anne finds that there is an overlap between the two.

Anne Riches was my voice of reason, with her calm and direct approach. With her measured guidance and the tools she provided me with, I was better able to understand myself and then in turn, understand and address the issues at hand. That increased level of awareness allowed me to develop and grow not only as a leader in the workplace, but also generally as a human being, and to gain a better overall sense of perspective.
– Partner Duesburys Nexia

Why Anne?

With Anne as your coach or mentor, you will:

Have a confidante you can trust
Get another point of view
Receive the point of view from someone who is not emotionally involved
Get clarity around your direction and goals and how to get there
Become more aware of your strengths as well as shortcomings and receive tools to assist with minimising the latter
Experience Anne’s professionalism, empathy and flexibility
Draw on Anne’s wealth of knowledge, experience, insight and judgement gained over 30 years working in complex business environments

Click here for more information on Anne’s background and experience

As a lawyer, I was not trained in leadership and management and these skills had to be learned at the same time as meeting head on many of the challenges faced…in a large law firm.

I certainly got a great deal out of these sessions and really felt that I developed skills and techniques to better manage the issues I had at the time.

I always found Anne calm, logical and constructive in her coaching role and would certainly recommend her to other professionals.
– Barrister and former Partner DLA Phillips Fox

Structure/format

Anne will tailor every coaching or mentoring arrangement to meet your needs and availability.
The options include:

Individual sessions

Face to face
Telephone
Skype
Email – whilst not a preferred method (it can be cumbersome and difficult to get ideas and thoughts through quickly and meaningfully), email can be appropriate for operational type conversations.

Group sessions

Small group coaching and mentoring is also available as it is often good to hear what other people are going through and to share different opinions on issues.

Group sessions are not always appropriate however, as some people can feel inhibited in a group situation. There also may be the issue of dealing with confidential information.

Duration of each session

We suggest the following although we will be flexible to adapt to your preferences:

Initial 30 minute complimentary session to assess our rapport – our ability to work together. We will also discuss the broad scope of coaching or mentoring goal.
One hour face to face sessions (monthly for three, six or twelve months with continuation options)
Additional communication through other channels as required

For how long?

The length of the commitment depends on the reason for obtaining coaching/mentoring. Flexibility is important and deciding on a time period may be more useful and appropriate rather than an exact number of sessions. That allows enough time for issues to be worked on without creating the pressure of just another deadline.

Six months is probably an ideal minimum period that will enable the establishment of deep rapport and change, without the whole process being too imposing.

Coaching and mentoring fees

Everyone is unique. So after the initial complimentary discussion, Anne will devise the best program for you and advise you of the fees.

This will be tailored to best suit your requirements including timeframes and budgets.

Actually, I am performing this weekend with my choir … I’ve even got a solo! I have to say that you were my inspiration … not that I’m swimming long distances through the ocean, but singing in public AND a solo?! So thank you!
– Managing Director, Accurate Expressions

What Can Coaches Do For You?

Harvard Business Review did an interesting survey in 2009 to answer this question. You can read an introduction to it here.

From there you can register with HBR to get free access to the full article and others. A useful resource for your Leadership toolkit!