Thriving Amidst Adversity: Insights on Leadership and Coaching

By Helen Wada with Jamie Ward

Creating Human-Centred Workplaces: Are We Seeing the Bigger Picture?

In the latest episode of HumanWISE, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jamie Ward, head of talent and learning at Channel 4, passionate about promoting a coaching culture that fosters inclusivity and excellence in the workplace.

In our rapidly evolving corporate environments, there’s often an overwhelming emphasis on efficiency and outcomes. However, Jamie argues that facilitating a coaching culture within organisations is pivotal for nurturing authentic and sustainable leadership.  The bottom line matters, but there is a way to get there that fosters inclusivity, connection and performance.

Jamie: "I think the most important thing one can aspire to be at work is to be kind...relationships at work are the most important things we can develop. Conversations are the most powerful things in getting work done in the types of jobs that we do"

How do we harness a coaching culture to elevate our professional environments?

The Necessity of a Human-Centred Approach

Jamie elaborated on the notion that the essence of leadership extends beyond the traditional metrics of success.

Jamie: "It's not simply about doing what you do more efficiently; it's about how you do it. The behaviours you exhibit as a leader—the quality of conversations, inclusivity, and listening skills—are paramount".

In essence, we need to be taking the long view.

“My view is that organisations that perform really well in the long term are organisations that learn and develop and invest in learning interventions. We need to do that wisely.”

Embracing Kindness as a Leadership Skill

Embarking on this journey, I reflected on personal experiences that highlight the transformative impact of kindness combined with a strategic coaching approach. Putting your colleague or client at the heart of the conversation, rather than solely thinking “what do I need to get from this discussion?”.

Jamie: "A virtuous cycle builds on itself. When leaders are kind, they inspire kindness and efficacy within the teams they lead.”

Jamie explained the robust results of investing in coaching, stating, "Coaching is a long-term investment, vital for organisations aiming for sustained excellence. At Channel 4, we've tracked performance improvements post-coaching interventions, showing an 80% improvement which translates into real investment territory"

Helen: "Indeed, it’s about recognising coaching not just as an expenditure, but as an avenue for developing future-ready leaders who can adapt and thrive, that ultimately supports the business”

Practising Inclusive Leadership

To culminate our conversation, Jamie shared invaluable lessons drawn from personal adversity having lost his sight two years ago: "Listening to people—especially those with different experiences and perspectives—is imperative. We never truly know what struggles others face, and as leaders, creating open, inclusive environments should be our priority"

Final Thoughts

Coaching and kindness in leadership transcend conventional strategies to touch at the very core of successful organisations and relationships. By evolving towards a coaching culture that values inclusivity, kindness, and profound listening, leaders can catalyse engaged, innovative, and enduring teams.

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For more guidance and support, check out the full podcast episode with Jamie Ward here, or contact me on LinkedIn.