Coaching with Rich Watkins
As a coach I draw on two decades as a strategist, creative problem solver, and ethnographer and I bring these skills to bear in my coaching – quickly getting to the heart of the matter, helping to open up a range of possibilities, and helping you find the way forwards that feels right to you.
I see my role as a sparring partner – bringing different angles and perspectives, challenging you – but always being on your side. Ultimately my responsibility is to leave you with more confidence and clarity as you face the difficult and complex challenges ahead of you.
To do this we can explore the deeper currents of who you are as a leader – unpicking patterns and exploring significant shifts. But we can also work with the immediate and look to solve the most pressing issues right now. Sometimes these two aspects are more closely related than they seem.
My career has been inside and outside organisations, from the front line to exec teams, across sectors and functions, and in over 25 countries. Areas of experience include innovation, branding, strategy, collaboration, change, culture and creative – and I’ll bring a little of all of that into how we work.
COACHING ASSIGNMENTS: A few examples
Stepping up – e.g. Discovery Nordics – coaching assignment with 12 VPs and SVPs as many of them taking a step up in role. With three coaching sessions per team member, we worked on whatever supported each individual – from building confidence, to building their teams, to influencing the wider organisation.
Building a new team – e.g. Theramex – working with the incoming COO and her team of country GMs to build a sense of clarity and momentum at a significant time of change. Coaching the COO and her central team – and working with the GMs as one team.
Navigating change – e.g. Warner Bros. Discovery – I was a retained executive coach working with various directors, VPs and SVPs as part of the merger process. A range of interventions from one-off "Power Hour" sessions to longer support as people went through complex transitions.
Dysfunctional teams – e.g. Deutche Telekom – working with a strategically important project team who had been struggling for 6 months. I worked 1-1 and collectively to create a sense of team spirit and momentum. We resolved a number of fundamental issues of mistrust and historical misunderstandings to find a shared understanding and clear direction.
MY BACKGROUND
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Eight years as a research scientist and technical product owner in industry and 15 years as innovation and organisational change consultant
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Globally experienced innovation consultant with 70+ projects in 25+ countries – I have led teams to major market impact in China, LatAm, USA, and Europe.
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Working with senior leaders across sectors (entertainment, consumer goods, finance, healthcare, tech, retail, NGOs) and functions (Finance, Strategy, Operations, General Management, Innovation, People & Talent, Risk, Creative)
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TEDx Speaker on group dynamics and creator of practical toolkit for collaboration: the Let’s Go Model®, Collaboration Cards, Team Check, Change Loop and more.
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Leader of Let’s Go where 20+ coaches, consultants and organisational development professionals use the Let’s Go Toolkit.
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Duke Corporate Education faculty member
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Study: groupwork and organisational development with The Gestalt Centre , embodied leadership with Strozzi Institute , leadership psychology with Neish, anthropolgy and improvisation with Goldsmiths, rhetoric and visual thinking with UC Berkeley, chemistry with University of Greenwich