We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Hi there, I’m Amanda Woolridge
Impact and making a difference is important to me.
Impact is why I’ve dedicated the past 25 years to enabling leaders and supporting them to build high performing teams.
Leaders have the capacity to create a better world, to shape a culture of empowerment where people can thrive, and I enjoy supporting people who want to ‘go for something big’ and are willing to grow themselves to enable better results.
I’m also on the journey of becoming better. Understanding what makes people tick and the field of human psychology has been a lifelong fascination. I’m constantly reading and learning, which I love, and am always amazed by how often, synchronistically, what I happen to be studying happens to align with what my clients need to know.
Coaching to me is all about the relationship. First and foremost, it’s about building a safe and trusted space for unlocking potential. It’s about supporting, encouraging, respectfully challenging, and being a role model for how to bring out the best in others.
This quote from Coach U, the coach training institute that I’m certified with represents my ‘why’. I see ‘coaching as the culture of humanity’.
Experience
- Twenty-five years of experience in executive coaching and facilitation, based in New Zealand, working around the globe.
- Ten years of contracting as an executive coach, team coach, and facilitator to the Institute for Strategic Leadership are ongoing.
- Clients have mostly been executive leaders and teams in a wide range of commercial organisations and governmental departments. Sectors have included building, aviation, design, tourism and hospitality, NGO, banking, primary industries, agricultural, and retail and distribution.
- Previously, 5½ years in the UK recruitment industry. Fast-tracked to the position of Branch Manager and headhunted to the role of Associate Director.
Accreditations
- BSc (hons) Psychology (Lancaster University)
- ACTP (Coach U’s Advanced Coach Training Programme, 2.5 years)
- NLP Practitioner (TransformatioNZ)
- DiSC Practitioner (Fortuna International)
- The Coaching Clinic (Corporate Coach U)
- MBTI Practitioner (CPP)
- FIRO-B Practitioner (CPP)
- Wired-up & Work-With Practitioner and Certifier (Smart Leader Diagnostics)
- MyTeamPulse Practitioner (Smart Leader Diagnostics)
- MBA for General Managers (Institute for Strategic Leadership)
- Certified Yoga Teacher in Vinyasa Flow 100 hours and YIN 50 hours
- Somatic Stress Release Practitioner
Beyond Work
I was born in the North East of England but the Queenstown Lakes District is the home of my heart. I’ve lived here for 30 years and you may have noticed that my logo mirrors the mountains of this region. It represents the three mountains that we climb in leadership. Read my blog to find out more.
When I’m not coaching and facilitating, I teach and practice yoga. The wellness and spiritual philosophies of the East have much to teach us in the West about mind power, happiness, resilience, and leadership. When I departed the UK in my late 20s, I’d been so focused on achieving success that I hadn’t realised that I was burnt out. The practice of yoga, breathing, and mindfulness has been a saving grace for me and is now my way of clearing my thinking mind, and helping me stay in balance and connected to my authentic self, which brings me to my favourite Carl Jung quote; “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”
I also love hiking the local hills, chilling out in the company of a good book, and enjoying a good glass of pinot.
The two most important people in my life are my husband Shane who is a sculptor and my daughter Tomika who is a designer. Living with two creatives is fun and inspiring, which brings me to one of my favourite Einstein quotes:
Getting Started
How to become part of the esteemed organisations that trust Amanda’s guidance for executive training and growth.
Step 1
Schedule a no-obligation free call to discuss your needs, goals, and options.
Step 2
If we’re a good fit, I send you a proposal, and we discuss expectations and form a contract.
Step 3
Now we begin–measuring where you are at, working the plan, reviewing progress, and making adjustments along the way.
Find the right coaching service and start your journey to becoming better.
EXECUTIVE COACHING
MANAGER TO LEADER COACHING
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
WORKSHOPS
Frequently Aksed Questions
How can I determine if coaching is right for me at this time?
For coaching to work, there needs to be a gap between where you are right now and where you aspire to be. Secondly, there needs to be a willingness to learn and grow. This requires a mindset of openness, curiosity and a commitment to developing. Thirdly, if you want to achieve different results, there needs to be a readiness on your part to ‘try out’ new ways of communicating and behaving.
Do I need a Mentor or a Coach?
Do I need a mentor or a coach?
Typically, a mentor is someone from your industry who has a proven track record of success. Their role is to advise you about what path to take, based on what has worked for them. If you are lacking in experience and need someone to provide you with solutions, you may need a mentor.
A coach is someone who may have industry experience, but primarily their role is to be a sound-board, to ask questions, to support you to grow in awareness, make effective decisions and take action. You will want to ensure that your coach has formal certification and experience as a coach.
Either way, you will want to ensure that your mentor or coach is a good ‘fit’ for you by scheduling an initial meeting with you to test the waters.
How long is a coaching session? What is the duration of a typical coaching engagement?
A typical coaching session is for 60 minutes and sessions are mostly conducted through ZOOM.
Coaching is often fortnightly, sometimes monthly and a minimum of six sessions are required to achieve sustainable change. A typical coaching programme can last from six months to one year.
Once you hire me as your coach, you are free to email in between sessions or make short calls to celebrate a win or discuss a burning challenge.
How does coaching with Amanda work?
First, we engage in an initial conversation to determine if I am a good fit for you and that you are ‘coachable’. (See, ‘How can I determine if coaching is right for me at this time?’)
The first coaching session is usually a ‘getting to know you’ session that supports you in setting goals for your leadership development and personal growth. Depending on your level of awareness, I use evidenced-based tools to measure where you are at as a leader and how well the team you lead is performing.
I’ll usually ask you to identify 3 actions to complete between sessions. Each subsequent coaching session starts with reviewing your action commitments and then creating a focus for the coaching session.
My clients typically report that I am supportive, encouraging, unconditionally constructive, bold and challenging, intuitive, insightful, and deeply curious.
To get a greater feel for how I coach, visit my Testimonials page.
How do I get the most out of coaching?
To maximise the coaching time, it is useful to prepare for each coaching session.
Take 15 minutes before each session to reflect. This may include reviewing progress on action commitments from the previous session, deciding which goals are a priority right now, or identifying a current or recent challenge that you would like to sound-board.
Have more questions? Contact Amanda today.
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Ready to Get Started?
What would ‘elevating leadership’ and ‘transforming your organisation’ look like for you?
Let’s begin the conversation.