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By Katie Duckworth, January 21, 2013

It’s Blue Monday today, apparently the most depressing day of the year. I’m not sure I really believe in in – it must be different for everyone, surely…? but here are ten ways to make sure that it’s not blue for you and your third sector colleagues. Some take just twenty seconds but could change the whole feel of your day.

The ten suggestions are based on research about what makes us happy – and they really do work. Small actions, made consciously and positively, can make the difference between feeling low, flat and out of control, or happy and upbeat.

1. Do something that is 100% fun. Have a snowball fight with colleagues at lunch time if you’re in the snowy UK. Watch a classic comedy film this evening. The list is endless

2. Think about the big ‘Why?’ of what you do. Spend a few minutes reminding yourself of the purpose of your organisation, your team, and the reason you want to be part of it

3. Connect with a friend or family member by phone or face-to-face for a proper conversation – texting doesn’t count!

4. Do a good turn. You could tell a colleague they’ve done an outstanding job or make an extra effort to help someone with a problem. They will appreciate it – and you’ ll feel great

5. Learn something new. It might just be spending five minutes working out how to take a screen shot from your computer.  You’ll feel a real sense of achievement

6. Make a note of five things you are grateful for. When you notice the good things in your life you are less likely to feel low

7. Take an action which takes you closer to a long-term goal. Perhaps you want to improve your public speaking – so go ahead and ask a colleague to feed back on your performance in this afternoon’s meeting

8. Notice when you have a choice to make, and take it consciously. Think about what you really want, not what others want of you, what you think you should do or used to do

9. Think useful thoughts. “I did well there”, “What can I learn from that?” “What’s needed now?” You really are what you think about all day. If your thoughts are blue, you’ll be blue.

10. If you don’t manage to do any of these things, that’s OK. Tomorrow is another day.

Be The Change supports individuals and teams to be motivated, happy and valued in their third sector organisations. Contact me on katie@be-the-change.org.uk or call 0208 772 7808 for a chat about how I can help.

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By Katie Duckworth, September 26, 2012

We’re all busy, so it’s tempting to whizz through your to-do list firing off emails and ‘getting things done’, but I encourage my third sector clients to take a break from the digital world every now and again, and make use of the old technology. Here’s why…

1. You really do get the job done. Just because I’ve sent an email or text doesn’t mean I’ve succeeded at doing anything at all. When you make a phone call to resolve an issue or deal with a challenge you can justifiably tick it off. You’ll get that great feeling that you’re moving forward and making a difference.

2. A phone call means you are in the now, dealing with what needs doing now. You’re not thinking about what has happened or worrying about what might happen. This is actually the most productive place to be.

3. You are in control. If there’s no answer, you ring again. You’re not waiting around for the other person to respond.

4. Creative, thoughtful solutions come out of real, personal relationships. Sending off a cluster of short, to-the-point emails on simple issues can save time. But when there is something more complex to discuss, you are far better just picking up the phone and engaging.

5. Talking to to a real, live person honours our basic human need to connect with others in a a way that text, email, Facebook or Twitter never can. Connecting with other people is proven to give us a greater sense of well being.

6. Talking to colleagues in your work place, or peers in other organisations, instead of sending an email, contributes towards a sense of shared purpose and responsibility and a feeling of belonging.

7. You show your leadership qualities. Emailing and texting are often tactics to avoid difficult conversations. When you take a deep breath, pick up the phone and deal with an issue that needs dealing with, you show what you are truly capable of. People will appreciate and respect you for it.

8. Phone calls are a great opportunity to practice pushing through your comfort zone. We have become less and less used to communicating one-to-one in real time. But what’s the worst thing that can happen? You don’t get what you want, the conversation was as difficult as you’d feared? You’ll handle it! And the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

9. It saves time. You know those emails that go backwards and forwards and you know you should just pick up a phone? Don’t get into them, or if you do, pull the plug after three emails and phone!

10. Using the phone avoids common misunderstandings around emotion and meaning that can happen in written communication. Real-time conversations allow an opportunity to express yourself, notice and respond to the other’s reaction – and most importantly of all, to really listen at a deep level. That can never happen in an email.

Coaching can help you and your staff communicate and use their time more effectively. If you would like to talk to Katie Duckworth about investing in you or in your third sector team please contact me here for a no-obligation chat.

This blog was inspired by a link in the latest ACEVO Third Sector newsletter on the power of phone and face-to-face meetings. See also Richard Branson’s new book Like a virgin: secrets they won’t teach you at business school.

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By Katie Duckworth, August 8, 2012

Future fundraiser…?

This might not be such a great photo – but the moment was a gem – my daughter giving the thumbs up to her day out at the London 2012 Olympics. Who knows what that day did for her, with it’s focus on positivity, team spirit and self belief?

There are many reasons why people are negative about the Olympics – it’s been unbelievably expensive, (especially that fantastic opening ceremony), the feeling that the euphoria can’t possibly last, the ticketing process has been crazy etc etc etc.

Maybe so.

But my feeling is that we may be underestimating the long-term impact such an uplifting and positive experience can have on us as individuals. I’ve been coaching my usual third sector clients all the way through the Games and almost without exception the Olympics have come up as a positive influence for the person I’m working with:

•  Tony and I began to identify his core values by first exploring what Mo Farah’s might have been. (We reckoned determination, passion and self belief had to be up there).

• Melanie decided to bring an ambitious career goal forward a year inspired by gold medalist Helen Glover’s four short years of rowing. Who knows what contribution she’ll go on to make to the sector once she reaches that goal.

• Pam, a coaching mentor told me that volunteering at the Olympics was one of the best weeks of her life. How can that experience not make a positive difference to her as she mentors and trains other coaches like me? (Apparently 40% of people who volunteered for the Olympics had never volunteered before).

Olympic athletes are perfect role models for the attitudes and strategies I help my clients employ to reach their goals and contribute to making the world a better place. If you would like to talk to me about how I can help you or your team reach your goals please contact me here for a no-obligation chat or email katie@be-the-change.org.uk

 For more tips and ideas on getting the best out of your third sector staff follow @katieduckworth on Twitter.

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By Katie Duckworth, July 6, 2012

21 days until the Olympic Games!

You can bet your bottom dollar that all the athletes taking part are firmly focused on their medal goals and doing everything in their power to be winners.

There’s a lot you can do in 21 days, too, to get a task achieved that you’ll be really satisfied about. Something that pushes you out of your comfort zone, perhaps. How about…

- finally writing that strategy paper you never seem to get the head space to think about

- taking a deep breath and improving your relationship with a difficult colleague

- giving a totally ‘wow’ talk to campaigners to motivate them for action over the summer?

In fact, 21 days is a perfect amount of time to set a challenging new goal and get there with flying colours. It just takes focus and commitment, a big dose of self belief and a daily plan of action.

So, what will you do?

I help third sector organisations be more effective at work with inspiring goals and action plans. If you would like to talk to me about how I can help you or your team please contact me here for a no-obligation chat or email katie@be-the-change.org.uk

 For more tips and ideas on getting the best out of your third sector staff follow @katieduckworth on Twitter.

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By Katie Duckworth, June 28, 2012

I’ve coached some fantastic third sector clients in the past few years. Some have been managers, others leaders, some striving to be leaders. Others have become aware of their leadership potential through coaching.

And I’ve coached all personalities too – flamboyant extroverts, quiet introverts, powerful orators, gentle persuaders. Each one of them bringing a unique set of skills, talents and gifts to their role.

But it isn’t these signature strengths themselves that have created success, I don’t think. Over the years, I’ve found that what makes some people successful and able to truly shine is the willingness (eagerness, even) to assess their strengths, weaknesses, habits, beliefs and values with rigorous honesty – and do whatever it takes to improve, learn and grow.

I’m working with a talented client right now who’s very focused on moving into a leadership role.  We’re aware that decision-making isn’t a strong point so he’s put it on project status. He’s practising making quick decisions at home and at work, to get that decision-making muscle working and committing to an opinion on live decisions his manager is about to make. Next, we’ll identify his top core values so that decision-making from a place of ease and authenticy become second nature.

I can support you or your staff to thrive in their current role or move into leadership through one-to-one coaching and training. Contact me here for a chat about how I can help you, or call me on 0208 772 7808.

For more tips and ideas on getting the best out of your third sector staff follow @katieduckworth on Twitter

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By Katie Duckworth, May 28, 2012

When’s the right time to get coaching for your third sector staff?

When David is under-performing so badly he’s about to lose his job? When Leila is totally fed up, demotivated and desperate to leave? When tensions and disagreements in the team are taking up hours of your precious time?

Certainly, organisations often bring in a coach “to sort things” out and it can be very effective. Performance improves. Disillusioned staff rediscover their purpose and energy. Calm is restored.

But the very best time to bring in a coach is before any of this happens. Early coaching can save your organisation money and help you meet organisational goals faster.

Basically, coaching helps people to be better at their jobs – to thrive, to contribute their very best to the organisation – in short, to shine. You can help them do this from Day One.

A great time to coach your people is:

- when they love their job!

- the first 90 days in a new leadership or management post

- when they have a specific deadline-driven project coming up

- when a staff member has risen to a few challenges and seems to have what it takes to do even better

- if they are performing well, but need to work on a specific area such as confidence or life balance

- as a reward for talented staff members to keep them motivated and on board.

When you see coaching as an investment (rather than a sticky plaster) you will reap massive rewards for your organisation. Instead of waiting for failure, keep your eye out for success and help your people create even more of it.

Coaching can help you and your staff meet specific goals, upgrade overall performance, develop leadership skills, increase confidence and improve communication, and more.

If you would like to talk to Katie Duckworth about investing in you or in your third sector team please contact me here for a no-obligation chat.

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By Katie Duckworth, May 14, 2012

I began coaching a new client this week, the Chief Executive of a youth charity, and it’s got me thinking about what makes for a great third sector leader.

Here are five qualities that, in my opinion, make a leader stand out from the crowd:

1. Agility – great leaders are able to adapt to circumstances, both internal and external; to grasp opportunities; to innovate; to give up the old when the ‘same old’ is no longer working

2. Inner confidence – it takes real self-belief to make the daily decisions (big and small) required of a leader, to rise to challenges, and to move away from fear-based responses

3. Being a passionate champion for the organisation they head up – for the people working in it and served by it, and by being a role model for behaviours and values

4. Vision – great leaders constantly ask the ‘what & why’ questions to get a clear vision of where their organisation is going, and inspire their teams to come with them

5. Authenticity – no-one wants a ‘command and control’ leader. Today’s leaders are real, not afraid to learn and grow themselves, or to own up to mistakes and areas for improvement

What do you think?

Coaching  builds great third sector leaders – both by nurturing emerging leaders, and by supporting existing ones. If you would like to find out how I can help you or your employees please contact me here or call 0208 772 7808 for a no-obligation chat.

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By Katie Duckworth, April 4, 2012

I was talking to a third sector coaching client yesterday about the stunning victory of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy, in Burma’s recent byelection. We’d just finalised a list of her unique set of core values and wondered what Suu Kyi’s values might be?

Patience, we could only presume. She had, after all, survived 22 years under house arrest. How about Optimism? Justice? Compassion? Neither of us had met her, so we couldn’t be sure, but we felt these were likely to be the drivers that kept her focused and strong after all those years. Perseverance? It’s certainly a value she would have to honour for the potentially rocky journey on the road to full democracy.

My clients often mistakenly think that values have a moral dimension. But this isn’t the case. Nor are values reserved for the likes of Aung San Suu Kyi and Nelson Mandela. They are not something you ‘want’. They are something you ‘have’. Everyone has these non-tangible ‘must haves’ which drive you to live life in the way you do.

I like to think of values as running through us like the writing in a stick of rock. They are truly who you are. When values are honoured, you feel happy and fulfilled. When you dishonour them, you are discontented and uncomfortable.

My clients tell me that unearthing their top five or so values is the most useful self-development work they have ever done. They put their lists on fridges and in wallets for easy reference, aware that they are a foolproof blueprint for how to live and work.

Knowing your values gives a rock solid understanding of:

- how your core strengths can be used most effectively for the benefit of your third sector organisation

- why tensions arise with certain colleagues or in particular situations and how you can resolve them

- how you can motivate others and be motivated when the going gets tough

- how to best use your time outside work so you have a great life balance

- how to plan your career absolutely in line with who you truly are.

I can help your staff to expand their self awareness and effectiveness at work through my one-to-one coaching and training. If you would like to talk to me please contact me here for a no-obligation phone chat.

 For more tips and ideas on getting the best out of your third sector staff follow @katieduckworth on Twitter.

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By Katie Duckworth, March 30, 2012

Were you amazed by the recent rise in the price of a stamp? 60p for first class!?

Charities are rightly worried about the impact of this bombshell – from the increase in the price of direct mailing to the cost of communicating with often elderly volunteers who may not be on-line. This price hike also got me thinking about what would happen if emails were charged in the same way.

Imagine if every time you sent an email it cost your organisation 60 pence?

And another 60p every time you scrolled through your emails but didn’t take any action?

And another 10p for every email CCd to a colleague ‘just in case’.

And how about 5p for every word you use in reply?

Emailing would become a luxury none of us could afford. You’d quickly be looking for ways to cut down on your email addiction.

Luckily, it doesn’t cost our organisations anything like 60p to send an email. But unnecessary and unfocused email activity is cluttering up third sector in-boxes and minds, making us massively less productive. When you waste time on unproductive emailing you may as well be burning your organisation’s money.

In the workshops I run with charities, how to handle emails always crops up when I ask for participants’ greediest time thieves. I encourage my clients to stick to five simple email rules:

1. Look into your in-box just three times a day (yes, it’s tricky, but it can be done)

2. Reply straightaway to emails that don’t need further research or other work. Schedule when, in the next 24 hours, you’ll reply to others – and do it.

3. Use the fewest possible words as is polite for the recipient.

4. Think twice before you CC. Does Fred really need to see your email? Could you do a summary email to him at the end of the week? Or give him a quick update call?

5. Use your email filing system to keep non-current emails out of your in-box.

My clients’ productivity always improves when they start putting these rules into practice. They find themselves using the phone, internal mail or a quick visit to the next floor more. These options are still there, and have the added benefit of building the real, authentic relationships with colleagues which great third sector organisations will always value.

Through my one-to-one coaching and training, I can support your staff to reach their full potential and deliver excellence through their management of emails and other strategies. Contact me here to explore how I can help you.

 For more tips and ideas on getting the best out of your third sector staff follow @katieduckworth on twitter

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By Katie Duckworth, February 2, 2012

Reading the new Third Sector/nfpSynergy State of the Sector report on a crowded rush-hour tube recently, I was struck by the answers to the question ‘what makes for an effective charity?’

Not surprisingly, ‘quality of work and/or services’ comes out top. This is after all what we are all here for. But ‘ability to attract, develop and retain top talent’, down to 18% from 28% in 2009..? What’s that all about?

As I awkwardly manoeuvred myself away from someone’s elbow, I wondered, isn’t it people who deliver high quality work and services? People who come up with the inspiring vision and make the values a reality? People who do the innovative fundraising and marketing which keeps it all going? Roughly one in fifty people on my tube would have been heading for a job in the charity sector. If we’d got stuck in a tunnel for an hour, that work simply wouldn’t be getting done.

When I got to my destination I asked my third sector coaching client what would help her consistently deliver the best possible work. She was very clear – to feel truly valued by her employer, invested in and developed to reach her true potential.

Through my one-to-one coaching and training, I can support your staff reach their full potential and deliver excellence. Contact me here to explore how I can help you.

 For more tips and ideas on getting the best out of your third sector staff follow @katieduckworth on twitter