Karen Williams

04/11/2024

Instead of waiting for permission or agreement, the women I coach are stepping forward and learning to take the lead in growing cultures of trust, safety, empowerment and performance in the face of outdated leadership mindsets.

Knowing that new and positive change must come from them.

That people must see possibility alive in another to know it’s available for themselves.

It’s a different way of being in leadership. It connects, engages and empowers.

Speaking truth. Unearthing clarity. Elevating accountability.

It’s courage in action, stepping daily into the unknown with the convicted belief that only comes from their own journey of self-discovery and transformation.

Knowing that what has liberated them, will liberate their people from a culture of silos, blame, indecision, unhealthy competition and fear.

These are the leaders who are creating the future we all, in our most honest state, want to be a part of.

Anyone can choose this possibility for themselves, but not everyone will.

It’s a calling, an inner knowing, a voice with more questions than answers.

The leaders who choose to tune in don’t have all their answers in the beginning, they can’t see all the steps ahead, they just know it’s time to breakthrough the outdated model of control, authority by title, self-protection and limitation.

Time to bring people together for a purpose greater than any individual.

It’s both heart-led and outcome driven - an unmistakable combination that moves people to want to contribute the best of themselves.

08/10/2024

In our business we talk about things like arrogance, resentment and fear.

But not in a blame or shameful way.

We talk about what we’re proud of and what we want acknowledged, seen and heard.

But not in a barracking or sugary way.

On a daily basis we normalise being human.

It’s part of our practice, it’s what we expect of each other.

Doesn’t that take time? What’s the benefit?

It takes effort when you’re first learning these skills, like any new skill.

But it takes much less time and energy than what’s needed when thoughts, reactions and emotions are allowed to build up and people decide they can’t work well together.

Consistently practicing a culture of self-leadership, brave conversations and alignment to a common vision, helps me understand what’s most important in my team’s world to be valued, respected and understood.

What is naturally reciprocated is a deeper investment in what we do and the future we’re creating together, the passion with which we partner with our clients and the creativity and intentionality in designing new solutions.

Leadership, in my mind, is about leading people by first leading ourselves and then coaching others to do the same.

In this environment people are equipped to bring their best, self-regulate, make decisions and reach out for support in a committed way.

It sounds and looks very different to people caught in fear, resistance, blame and waiting for someone else to make a decision or make everything ok.

The best team…

07/09/2024

I’d tell her that it’s probably going to look a lot different to what she imagines, but thats a really good thing.

And I’d tell her that I love her.

She’d probably tell me to not forget the joy, the love and the fun.

And to know that there is as much support around me as I’ll ever need 🤍

What would you tell you?

07/09/2024

Your inner soft voice is ready to take the mic 🎤

26/07/2024

50++ is the best time of life so far.
The time of wisdom, expertise, experience and savvyness.
The time of clarity, courage and standing for the standards I believe in.
Calling out the BS and walking away when values don’t line up.
Feeling the failure and knowing I’m not.
Feeling the success and celebrating more.
Being kind in my mind to myself and my heart.
Expanding openness and softness.
Owning my strength and power.
Knowing when to shift things up and follow the calling.
Finding appreciation more often and striving less.
And knowing when I forget all of this, I pause, breathe, trust and allow. X

31/05/2024

With so many urgent and important tasks competing for our attention, it can feel almost impossible to find a calm mind to even decide what should get our focus first.

We tailor our programs to help leaders, managers and teams align, reset and go again.

Focus is a finite resource, once a day has passed, it’s passed.

Ensure you and your people have the tools and mindset to invest your focus wisely.

Thinking drives feeling drives behaviour drives results.

25/05/2024

My emotions and feelings have felt like a burden in the past.
A burden to myself, but mostly to others.
Too much to experience.
Too much to process.
Too much to want to be around.

And because my emotions and feelings are part of me, I’ve felt like a burden.

So I apologised for being me.
Played myself down.
Excused the space I was taking up.
Found places to hide.

Being a sensitive, tuned in, insightful being with an infinite capacity for love and compassion is who I am.

It’s who I believe we all can be if we want to, but many of us choose not to. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Closing part of ourselves down lets us get on with the business of life.

Living open, though, allows us to play with the beauty of life.

In truth, I think most of us are some of both.
Sometimes open.
Sometimes closed down.

These days I know that opening to more is the path I want to be on.

18/10/2022

In the busy-ness of schedules it's easy to step over what our people really need from us to perform well in their role.

Clear communication, a consistent message, certainty amidst constant change and confirmation they're on the right track.

Leaders think they’re being clear because they do a lot of telling and explaining, but with deeper reflection realise they’ve been doing more instructing and not much listening or coaching.

Coach-like skills are critical to being a successful leader.

If you want to learn from an experienced coach, ask about our Leader as Coach accreditation program.

11/10/2022

Every leader has things they just can't or won't say to their peers, their teams, their manager, their partner.

With good intentions, we put the mask on to fit the relationship.

To be appropriate.
To protect.
To serve.
And yes, sometimes to hide.

But there are things we all need to say, feel and process so we can keep showing up for others, so we can keep taking care of ourselves.

So we don't keep storing those things in a place that has a limit to how much it can hold.

A trusted space that doesn't judge, minimise or diminish.
A place where the bigger we become, the more we are celebrated.

An environment where we learn that the more of our humanity we own within ourselves, the more we are able to coach others to rise.

This is the co-created space of coaching.

Transforming minds, hearts, skills and relationships.

No other place I'd rather be.

18/09/2022

We are a purpose-led company.

We exist to educate and empower people to have real and brave conversations, so they can work, live and love together in ways that remove limits and enable new possibilities.

And we are hiring!!

Seeking an experienced Program Manager who will ensure the seamless, timely and accurate management of all functions that support the delivery of our client programs.

This role works closely with our coaches to ensure they are prepared and equipped to deliver every program to the highest of standards, client expectations and agreed outcomes.

The Program Manager is full time and based in our office in South Melbourne. An award winning co-share space called Creative Cubes, which is loved by our team and clients alike, with barista coffee and a variety of visually inspiring spaces to work in. You will have the opportunity to meet new, like-minded, high-achieving people every day.

If you’re keen to excel, want to be part of a powerful vision and looking to join a passionate team who walks it’s talk, then we want to meet you!

For more information and to apply, see bio for link to JD.

17/09/2022

This was shared with me by a passionate leader this week, who is an equally passionate and committed partner and parent. A leader who wants to feel truly fulfilled and not follow the old model of sacrificing everything for work.

This is the way of new leadership, and it is attainable.

It’s not about balance, and trying to get all areas of our lives working perfectly at the same time, all the time.

It’s about self-responsibility, self-care, brave conversations and learning how to let go of fixing problems just because it feels good to get a tick in the box ✅

It’s not a leader’s job to make everyone happy, that’s exhausting. Leadership is about empowerment, coaching people to find their own answers and take responsibility for their own experience.

If you want to learn how to be a whole leader, DM me for our coaching package info.

08/09/2022