MY 20 20
written by Ade Lingard - first published on 1st July 2020
The last 20 years
Most people reading this will know me as a director and leader of Jaywing which is hardly surprising after 20 years with the company. During this 20 year period my two daughters have started and finished school, graduated from university and now have their own careers. My wife went from being a full-time mum, to full-time at work, to launching her own successful business three and a half years ago. Holding the kids hands on the way home from school on a Friday night has been replaced with a call asking me if we’re off to the pub. 20 years, especially through this life stage, is a long time.
The vast majority of my time at Jaywing has been fantastic. It’s not all been roses, it can’t possibly all be easy over 20 years especially working for a lot of it in senior roles. I always learn more when times are tough. That learning helps me improve and do a better job next time, so tough times deliver a real dichotomy for me - I never want them, but if they are here then I know there is probably some learning in it for me. It’s that constant opportunity to learn that keeps me motivated during those times and it may resonate with one or two of you right now.
I’d like to briefly reflect on my time overall at Jaywing. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the founders and people I have worked with over the years for such a brilliant experience. I feel fortunate to have led the consulting division as MD and then to have worked as COO with excellent teams and leaders in data science and marketing both in the UK and Australia. I have had committed, hard-working and self-motivated people working for and with me for many years. I am a big believer in lifelong learning of all kinds and I am without doubt professionally and personally enriched from my time with the company and have made lots of friends along the way.
The next 20 years – my motivation for something new
Last autumn I asked myself a question - ‘what will I do for the next 20 years?’. I started with a very long list of what I didn’t want to do. Interesting I thought, but not really taking me forward as I hoped! I started to think about what I wanted it to look like rather than focusing on a specific job - ‘something a bit different but something I really like, something I will be valued for because it delivers value’. The questioning went onto ‘What do I love doing?’. I answered it - I am at my best when I am problem solving, questioning, supporting others in their challenges, helping people improve and getting the best out of data, these are the things I love doing. I have loads of general business knowledge and I have some specialist skills around using data and leading people (both critical to business in 2020).
As autumn became winter my thoughts moved to starting up my own business, using the skills I have developed over the last 30 years to help other businesses. It’s always been an option for me but seeing my wife launch her business a few years ago pushed it further forward in my mind. I decided this was it, I would launch on my own consultancy business. It felt right but there was still something missing and I needed to work out what it was…
I have been fortunate to work with an exceptional business coach over many years. Her work is totally non-directive. She has been there to help me get the best out of myself, not to advise me or share the wealth of her wisdom (for which she has plenty). Outside my own area of knowledge and expertise and starting with a blank sheet of paper, if I could choose to do any job going forward (finally accepting that the ship has sailed on my ambitions to be a downhill skier or a professional cyclist) then I would choose her path. The impact she has had on me and other people is incredible and I can see the impact it has on her when she achieves those moments of clarity with me as her client. They really are light bulb moments. She has helped me access thoughts I did not know I had and focus my action in areas I wouldn’t have thought of. She has challenged me, she has helped me improve and consequently she has helped my business improve.
So what could I learn from her work with me that could help me going forward? Could I take that blank sheet of paper with ‘business coach’ (a tag which doesn’t always do justice to what she has achieved) written on it and do something with it to grow my own abilities and offer?
The first half of 2020 has seen me spend time pursuing these questions. I talked to my own coach, did some research, read a book or two. I started working with a fantastic coach training company in London getting a taste of non-directive leadership coaching. This quickly led to signing up to a longer programme which I have recently extended so I can continue to widen and deepen my own learning in pursuit of knowledge and qualifications.
Like everything I do I have thrown myself into it, spending five times as long practising coaching as I needed to for my qualifications, with five times as many people. I have worked with directors, leaders, commercial talent, HR people, marketing people, analytical and data specialists and finance specialists. I have worked in some totally new areas for me including some very early career coaching as well as working with a Lawn Tennis Association master performance coach (who leads and coaches other coaches). I have approached my studies with the intent of generating deep learning rather than getting by. It takes time, it is challenging and it is rewarding. I have been very busy because I always am very busy. As my older sister once said – ‘If Ade has an hour free he finds two hours of stuff to fill it!’. She’s known me longer than most.
I have learnt a huge amount about many topics including the principles of pure non-directive coaching. I have studied emotional intelligence and how awareness of our own makes us better leaders. I have studied different leadership styles, what the pros and cons are of each and how the best leaders adopt different styles at different times whilst still being true to themselves. I have studied the science behind mood contagion and the impact we will have on others through how we are. I have also learnt a lot about myself. It’s been hugely enjoyable and my learning in this space continues.
The next 20 years – starting today (1st July 2020)
I now add these non-directive coaching skills and tools/techniques that I have adopted and refined to my business experience as a consultant, MD, COO and board executive. I combine both with my specialist expertise in leadership and the use of data. I know these new skills will add significant value to my work. Different business situations need different approaches and I intend to bring my skills and experience together in whatever form is needed to help boards and leaders improve their businesses. I will deliver my services through strategic consulting, non-exec/retained business advice and coaching or mentoring with a particular specialism in working with leaders and highly numerate individuals. I approach it with the same personality, drive and passion that I approach everything.
I go into it excited about working with some great people and helping them improve their performance and business results. I go into it knowing that in a year my business will look different to whatever view I have of it today. I go into it knowing that being flexible will be as vital to success as staying true to my own intentions and values.
I open the virtual doors of North Peak Consulting today with no idea where it will end but I know where I start. I am hugely excited about the future and I hope to have the opportunity to help you, your teams and your business along the way.
Thanks for reading,
Ade
