The reasons executives buy in - with Executive Coach Fiona vanGraan
Workplace redesigns are nothing if not complex. Property, ICT, People and Culture and Change workstreams all work together on the unique problem of how to design a fit-for-purpose workplace. Added to that complexity, executive teams don't always recognise the challenges or support needed to fully implement a workplace model that will achieve their goals.
I spoke with Fiona van Graan recently about how workplace program managers can achieve executive buy-in. Fiona is a highly experienced and sought after Executive Coach working with C-suite executives in the finance industry.
Key moments
0:54 - Fiona shares why the famous Leadership Trust in the UK, where she was Program Director, was started by two SAS officers.
4:24 - Fiona shares how C-suite leaders changed over the course of the leadership program and the biggest areas of change for participants.
5:26 - C-suite leaders' goals and motivations and how one can better understand them.
10:30 - Fiona notes a common misconception with leadership coaching - the expectation of a 'quick fix'.
15:07 - Ways to increase influence and trust.
18:25 - The power of an apology.
21.25 - Psychological safety is often viewed as pink and fluffy but it really creates an avenue for innovation.
26:32 - How COVID has affected the culture of workplaces.
30:32 - How program managers can manage their language to help them achieve success.
Resources mentioned
Harvard Business Review - IDEO's culture of helping (https://hbr.org/2014/01/ideos-culture-of-helping)
Fiona's Choc Chili Tart recipe - not hers exactly, but very close - https://thesourcebulkfoods.com.au/recipes/choc-chilli-tarts/
