From Expert to Facilitator

- Fiona Cosgrove -

I recently attended a conference in Boston entitled Coaching in Leadership and Medicine.

The sessions intertwined theory from systems therapy, executive coaching, immunity to change models and ground breaking research in positivity.

The theme throughout was that a good coach needs to increase self-awareness in the client and help them to take responsibility for their own outcomes.

It matters not whether the objective is to increase productivity or decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, if the end result involves behavioural change (which becoming a regular exerciser does) then helping people to identify and eliminate psychological as well as physiological obstacles is essential.

The fitness industry is crying out for a new teaching model and if exercise professionals can just shift their mindset from being the expert to being the facilitator of change then wellness coaching may just be it.

Australian Fiona Cosgrove is a leading international wellness coach. She is presenting at the FIA Conference in Telford on Wednesday July 13th.

FIA Flame Conference – “Creating Connections – The Key to our future”
Wednesday July 13th at the Telford International Centre.
Click here to book your place now!

The FIA talks to Michael Crowe from Think Feel Know ahead of LIW 2010

With just over a week left until LIW, the FIA would like to introduce Michael Crowe, Director of Think Feel Know, who is joining us here as a guest blogger, and at the 'FIA Health & Fitness Conference at LIW 2010' (21st - 23rd September, NEC Birmingham) where he will be exploring the best ways to lead during the recession.



Michael's session will be taking place on September 22, 9.30am at Leisure Industry Week 2010. For further information about Michael Crowe and Think Feel Know please visit www.thinkfeelknow.com.

In Praise of Gen Y

Having read Tim's last post, I was chatting to a client recently and we were reflecting on how amazing some of our Gen Y colleagues and friends are. We both confessed to feeling a little envious at times. A touch of the "I wish I had been that confident, capable, wordly... at their age."

I reckon these feelings are pretty common. Here is a generation who see fewer barriers in their lives, they tend to have more confidence in themselves and what is possible and they have much broader horizons on the world because of the internet and the fact they connect so easily with people around the world.

I think it is understandable if the older generation occasionally feel a little envious, jealous, resentful even. I often hear comments like "I had to work my way up the ladder, why do they think they shouldn't have to", "they are far too confident - verging on the arrogant", "they just expect things too easy."

I sometimes detect a mixture of resentment and a desire to put Gen Y in their place. Yet on the other hand there is a realisation that their talent and confidence are marvellous assets that present a huge opportunity for employers.

I think the healthy and productive attitude is to accept the negative feelings as understandable, but to move on and look at the assets that all the generations bring to the workplace.

The key is for each generation understood the others more: their intentions, passions and strengths. It's not for Gen Yers to 'stay in their place'; it's for them to challenge the status quo, come up with new ideas, question old assumptions.

It's uncomfortable for us Xers and Boomers but great leadership is about allowing and encouraging that whilst mentoring and guiding when necessary.

Note to self: remember that when next talking to amazing, accomplished and inspirational 23 year-old.

Simon Walker
Co- founder
Talent Smoothie

A co-founder of Talent Smoothie, Simon Walker is one of the UK's leading authorities on Generation Y and how to better understand and lead them. Simon will be giving two presentations at the FIA Conference on July 14th at Cheltenham Racecourse.

To find out more about the conference and to book your place with an Early Bird discount visit the FIA website or email flame@fia.org.uk.