Those wanting to develop

Developing as a professional isn't just about keeping up with the latest changes in your field of work. And, it's not just about what you do.

Professional development means thinking about - how you work (what makes you unique), why you work (what does your work do for you) , and who we are being (or becoming) doing it.

Today's world of work is often MAD. You can find yourself simply going from one thing to the next, juggling competing responsibilities, priorities, and relationships. In a sense, running to find yourself in the same place, managing your own adaptive decline (MAD). Feeling overwhelmed, isolated, exhausted, or simply just stuck.

Often the best way out is the way in. Pausing to look inside yourself for the answers you need. And to see new possibilities.

When you stop to reflect and make sense, by talking things through ... no experience is ever wasted!

What's on your mind?

What's happening for you in your work and your life - mentally, emotionally, psychologically. What burning questions are relevant for you right now?

Getting out of your own way

Sometimes the biggest obstacle in your life is yourself. How do you get out of the way, transcend the familiar but inhibiting, ways of seeing yourself and others. Freeing yourself for new insights and possibilities to emerge.

Making sense of your own journey

Hidden amongst all your career experiences there is often the feint outline of an inner journey. Clues to help you more intentionally shape where your journey might take you next.

some of the territory for exploration

Re-finding your soul, your spirit

As Mary Oliver asks "what are you making of your one wild and beautiful life." Does work, work for you. Is it an expression of all your gifts, potentials and aspirations. How might you integrate all those parts of yourself to create a more significant, soulful and meaningful life?

Cultivating the right conditions for you

You, like us all, exist within a network of conditions that shape your relevance, impact and value. What conditions bring a sense of grace and aliveness to the work that you do. Are you in the right place to bring out the best in yourself, and those around you?

Responding to change

What are the capacities and capabilities required to respond to your evolving world of work. Change often calls for unrecognised reservoirs of resilience, creativity, and adaptability. How might these be accessed and cultivated?

IMAGES: MC Escher

working with bernie

I’m an executive coach, or more accurately, a reflective partner. My job isn't to know what's right for you. I don't arrive pre-loaded with opinions, models or solutions for you. I like to be open, native, and simply work with what 'is' for you. It's your wild and beautiful life after all, I just like help you to make what you really want of it.

I like to work over time - a year, sometime more, sometimes less. Talking on-line, once a month, for about an hour.

I like to ask the questions that make you stop and think. The sort of questions that don’t lend themselves to easy answers. Questions that invite you to seek your own answers and to find a way to live yourself into those answers. And I like to listen – deeply, playfully, imaginatively - noticing what others often miss - hidden patterns, assumptions, blind spots, unhelpful habits. And the seeds of renewal.

Sometimes I might suggest an exercise or a reading - something that is relevant to your developmental journey. Something that will help you better understand yourself and how you are in the world.

bernie's experience

I began my working life as an industrial engineer

in the New Zealand dairy industry before moving into the IT industry as a sales consultant and manager. Working for multi-national and smaller local IT vendors before opening the Wellington office for an international communications and pitching consultancy, Rogen, in 2000.

Since 2006, I’ve worked as an independent coach, facilitator, and consultant, with public sector and commercial clients from disciplines including - governance, finance & accounting, HR, IT, operations, policy, sales & marketing and procurement. I've worked with specialists and leaders, coaching over 1000 people in the areas of communications, influence, negotiation, change and trust.

Along the way, I’ve recognised that I love helping others learn about themselves and their world. And that the most important work, is the inner work of expanding how we see, think and become in the world.

What others have said about working with bernie

"a much needed space for self exploration and inquiry into my own practice"

Patrick Filoche, Systems Facilitator, Ministry of Social Development

"builds awareness to define where I want to be, on my own terms"

Krishan Kumar, Relationship Manager, Outward Bound

"very hard to overstate the value of this reflective work"

Ronn Soukotto, Managing Director, Fingo

"unlocked insights that energised us for the future"

Penelope Borland, Executive Director, Fulbright New Zealand

"bracing conversations that stimulate curiosity and insight"

Gerald Scanlan, General Manager, Careering Options

"An oasis of calm"

Blair Marfell, Managing Consultant, Fingo

contact bernie

Please complete the form to arrange a no obligation, exploratory conversation on Zoom.

We can get to know each other a little, and explore how we might work together.

Or just email me at bernie@thewiser.me