Key Account Manager, Programme Director, Programme Lead, Facilitator, Coach

“I would like to banish the term ‘soft skills’ from leadership development. I believe whole-heartedly that the qualities of capable, courageous, inspiring and motivated leaders are fundamental to the workplace, and take hard work and commitment to develop with lots of support. They are needed now.”

About Phyllida

Phyllida has been working in leadership development for more than 20 years, with clients across public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Before settling in this field, she was for several years part of a team working across Government in the UK embedding a culture of futures thinking, using scenario planning and horizon scanning techniques to help policy makers with longer-term planning. She also worked as an actress in the theatre for 15 years, performing in the West End, across the UK and around the world, including three years with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She was a professional choral singer for many years, singing in concerts and recordings, and still enjoys performing whenever she can.

Phyllida’s Areas of Expertise

• Facilitation and coaching using Mythodrama methodologies

• Designing and delivering leadership programmes in partnership with clients and other providers to ensure a multi-faceted, impactful and coherent learning experience

• Singing workshops – teaching groups to sing in harmony in a surprisingly short time

• Scenario planning and Three Horizons work (trained with Bill Sharpe)

• Systemic constellation coaching

Phyllida says:

“Over the years I’ve been struck by the warmth, curiosity, humour and commitment to their own learning that participants bring when they feel invested in. Creating the space for that to happen is a big part of my job — making it safe and interesting enough for people to explore their potential and try out new ways of communicating and leading, especially when that involves stepping outside their comfort zones.”

“Some of the work that I’m proudest of and have been so grateful to have been part of was a series of programmes with crop scientists in Africa. We worked with them in their efforts to communicate the importance of their work and to inspire governments and sponsors to deliver long-term funding for science that will genuinely impact hunger and food security across the world. To work with such gifted people who were so powerfully connected to a sense of purpose and had the resilience to keep on going was absolutely inspiring.”

What does Phyllida especially bring to her work?

• Creating great environments for learning and leading

• Skilful storytelling that broadens perceptions of what is possible

• Connecting strategic ambition with personal potential

• Building systemic awareness and navigation skills

• Working with multiple stakeholders – the client organisation, the learning and development teams and the participants in the room

Client Impact

“The delivery was exceptional; if learning was delivered like that in the workplace, everyone would benefit enormously.”

“What an absolutely tremendous way to discuss leadership. The session was interactive, thoughtful, fun and ground in leadership concepts.”

“Inclusive, clear and challenging.”

“A perfect blend between reassuring calm and passion.”

“What started at the very extreme end of the weirdness index ended as one of the most impactful, inspiring and memorable experiences I’ve ever had.”