This month, I thought it would be a nice idea to offer something different to our usual monthly blogs. This time of year always feels reflective, taking stock of the year you have had, whilst looking forward to the new year. I lent into this urge to reflect, and asked the team three questions about their work in 2023:
- What was your DS (work) highlight this year?
- How have you grown professionally this year?
- What are you most looking forward to about DS (work) in 2024?
Feel free to mull over these questions for yourself, and let us know what comes up for you. Here’s what Rebecca and Sue wrote:
Rebecca
What was your DS highlight this year?
There are so many I could mention. Overall though – seeing people grow in confidence personally and professionally – either by learning coaching skills, and seeing their skills grow, or seeing people grow through being coached – and expanding their own awareness of themselves, their work and lives – being able to make different – more informed choices and growing personally. I’ve also loved seeing the NHS leaders I work with start to embrace coaching skills and increase their leadership repertoires to include the approach in their work and lives.
How have you grown professionally this year?
Working on an NHS leadership programme – the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson 2 years MSc in Healthcare Leadership as an academic tutor with Manchester University, has sharpened up my academic marking skills. I’m currently supervising 14 Msc students as they tackle their dissertations – and there’s lots of learning about effective supervision processes for me. The coaching skills are coming in very handy!
What are you most looking forward to about DS in 2024?
More of the same. Our work is very varied and always interesting (apart from some bits of admin!), I feel really privileged to do the work I do. I’m keen to forge some new work partnerships to see how coaching could help other organisations and people use these empowering skills.
In addition, the DS team are involved in some fund raising for a Food Pantry at our church St. James’ Woodside in Horsforth – and I always like it when different parts of my life come together and feel integrated. The Food Pantry will be built in 2024 and runs a bit like a Food Bank.
Sue
What was your DS highlight this year?
Gosh that’s such a hard question to answer because there has been so many. I think it’s seeing the impact our programmes have. Seeing individuals joining the programmes really nervous and not quite knowing what to expect then hearing them say things like ” that was transformational”, “I’ve developed skills for life”, “I’ve just had a challenging conversation that I was dreading and its gone well”
How have you grown professionally this year?
This year I started a Masters in Coaching at Cambridge, it’s so stimulating working with coaches from different backgrounds to me. I’m finding the academic writing stretching, lots of growth required in 2024!
What are you most looking forward to about DS in 2024?
I’m already excited to see the diary filling up for 2024. We’re passionate about coaching and the impact it can have in the workplace. So I’m looking forward to sharing the coaching bug with others.
Here’s to new adventures in 2024!
