Stewart Forsyth
Extensive coaching experience
The following are a sample of recent coaching projects undertaken.
- Guidance to MD of start-up consulting practice on recruitment, motivational and talent management issues.
- Coaching the MD of a trading business on implementing an effective succession plan, including the development of members of the executive team.
- Coaching the Managing Partner of a small law practice on managing key professional relationships and successfully managing Board transition issues.
- Resilience coaching for a team of trans-Tasman rowers.
- Coaching a professional on the introduction of leadership development initiatives within his firm, including the introduction of leadership evaluation measures.
- Support to Franchisee working through dispute with Franchisor around business management role and requirements, resulting in successful business outcome.
- Career and job search advice and coaching for new migrant, resulting in winning targeted professional role.
- Advice for young professional working through constructive dismissal situation, achieved financial compensation and successful career move.
- Coaching of intermediate professional who was falling behind the career steps of the employing organisation. Progress achieved on measures of team-work, respect and work quality.
- Coaching Manager of manufacturing firm on the effective support of a stressed and underperforming staff member.
- Coaching the Business Group Manager of professional services firm on the developing and implementing business strategy across the group. Positive results achieved in terms of business performance and team morale.
- Coaching of Managing Partner of professional services firm – with significant impacts on the operational management of the firm and its performance
- Coaching the CEO of a not-for-profit organisation on all aspects of people leadership in the organisation. This has included support with team-building, recruitment and selection, performance coaching and also personal organisation and productivity.
- Coaching Partners of financial services firm on interpersonal skills, client relationships and public relations.
- Performance coaching of professional contributing to reduced stress and higher performance.
- Career coaching for HR Director of leading professional services firm.
- A Human Resources manager from a financial services institution where a strategic HR management plan was developed and implemented.
- Cultural change advice for HR DIrector of professional services firm.
Career background
- Ten years - self-employed consulting and coaching work, including GM for not for profit organisation, People Manager for large consulting firm
- Five years - HR Manager with engineering consulting firm renowned for its leading edge HR practices, winner of 2000 inaugural NewZealand Best Places to Work
- Nine years - consulting in New Zealand and overseas for Deloitte, assignments included management assessment and development, training and development, recruitment and career transition
- Two years - Led management development initiative in Papua New Guinea.
- Three years - Regional Psychologist in Papua New Guinea, range of clinical, industrial and community psychology work.
- Five years - provided clinical services to offenders
Experience in a wide range of areas
I have had successful experience in a wide range of coaching and consulting activities including:
- leadership assessment and development
- human resource management audit and strategic planning,
- organisational and culture change, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and job design,
- training needs analysis including mapping core competencies, training programme development, delivery and facilitation,
- operations reviews and process improvement,
- development and implementation of performance management systems, reward management including remuneration systems
- assessment centre development and implementation,
- recruitment and selection, including employment value proposition development and employment branding.
Working style
I bring experience across diverse cultures, organisations and people to my relationships. I am able to take an objective and independent view and make a creative but practical contribution to the issues people face in trying to make a difference in a complex world. Listed below are some things that others have said about how I worked with them on different assignments:
- Stewart is very patient and supportive
- I feel I was able to be the most honest I've been
- I found the use of metaphors and labels useful
- He is able to provide creative ideas without any 'ego', I felt comfortable considering ways to adapt without pressure
- Understated and well organised approach to helping us achieve our goals
- I have found him to be an excellent model for my own development
- We have developed a warm relationship where I feel comfortable talking about the leadership challenges that I face
- He has been a mentor for me in evaluating the implementation of strategy, and has helped me develop my skills in the process
