In recent years Sian has worked with many senior and top teams to help them become more effective in their work together. She is expert at creating the container that teams need to have the conversations they need, even when they feel like it is the last thing they want to be doing. She is expert at helping teams emerge out of those conversations with positive outcomes. She is expert at supporting them in keeping up the momentum so the work sticks.
Sometimes the hardest thing is just carving out the time to be together, the temptation then to pack a huge amount in to any agenda taking up highly-prized senior time. Sian will challenge the teams she works with to dare to slow down, to pick one important thing that needs to be worked on and to give it the time and breathing space it deserves.
In a world which moves faster and faster and which feels increasingly volatile and unpredictable, slowing down feels indulgent, almost transgressive. But it takes time to work on those sticky issues which can reveal genuine system tensions or competition. It takes time to create a space where senior leaders can begin to tiptoe into the realm of exchanging feedback so that unspoken issues can be properly heard and worked through. It takes time to work through exploring the many views around a Board table so that everyone feels seen and a joint decision can be well-made and made with confidence.
Leaders need to take time they need to come to the best decision they can, not just the easiest one in the limited time they usually have. So, if you’re up for slowing down, and really doing some meaningful work that will make a difference to how your top or other senior teams operate, Sian’s your woman.
