Our focus for this month's session:

The research is clear - leaders, teams and organisations that leverage Polarities well outperform those that don't.

So this month you'll be invited to take a step back to notice whether the challenges you're facing are problems to solve (i.e. complicated/predictable/independent) or polarities to manage (i.e. complex/unpredictable/interdependent).

You'll experience a basic introduction to the Polarity Mapping process (Barry Johnson), a way of mapping the system to help you achieve your preferred future faster and more sustainably.

Praise for Balcony Time:

"Just a brief note to thank you all at Spring Leadership for the balcony sessions. I have attended several now and have always left feeling inspired, more insightful and empowered and today was no different!

Thank you all for generously sharing your knowledge and getting us as leaders out of the doing and into the thinking for an hour or so each month."

Carmen Jacobsen - General Manager, People and Culture, Wise Management Services

Meet your hosts from Spring Leadership:

Aenslee Tanner

Aenslee Tanner (PCC) is a certified leadership coach passionate about supporting individuals to unleash their potential and become more conscious leaders.

A former engineer and Division-I athlete, her research-based coaching methodology draws on adult stage (vertical) development and complexity theory, neuroscience, positive psychology and high-performance sport.

As part of her commitment to her own continuous learning and development, Aenslee recently ran her first 100km ultramarathon and completed a 10-day Vipassana silent meditation course - challenging experiences that have given her a whole new appreciation for what it means to lean into discomfort in order to grow!

Alyson Keller

Alyson Keller (PCC) is an experienced ICF credentialed coach that has a passion and drive for enabling others to live a life that is transformational and authentic. She is skilled at leveraging her hands-on leadership experience and drive for results to quickly get to the root of issues. Having worked in the Organisational Development sector since 2001 as an Executive and Leadership Coach and Facilitator, Alyson has designed and facilitated many Leadership Development programmes both in NZ and the UK including Assessment/Development and Coaching Learning Centres.

Alyson has a supportive and empathetic style, while also not afraid to challenge whenever necessary and knows what it takes to step out of her own comfort zone. With a strong behavioural background, Alyson helps executives and leaders to develop self- awareness, self-confidence, resilience and self-management skills, maximising impact and effectiveness in all areas of their lives, often exceeding what they thought was possible. Being strategic, Influential, Conversational Agility, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Management and Career Management, are also part of Alyson’s offering. Her clients include a wide range: professional, education, information technology, government, manufacturing, commercial, retail and not for profit.

FAQ:

Is this session the same each month or does the content vary?

This session is part of Spring Leadership's "Balcony Time" series where once a month we gather with the intention of creating a safe space that supports vertical leadership development and allows for reflection on how we're being as well as what we're doing as leaders. Each session will offer different content, tools, and facilitators but the intention remains constant - creating a nourishing space that supports you on your leadership development journey.

Will there be a recording?

No. As part of our commitment to creating a safe, confidential space we do not record these events. The "Balcony" series is also highly experiential (small breakout group discussions, reflective activities...), which a recording wouldn't be able to capture and provide in the same way.

Where will this session be held?

This session will be delivered online via the Zoom video conferencing platform so you are welcome to join from anywhere!

You'll receive a link to join the video call in your confirmation email after you've registered. If you've never used Zoom before, we recommend you click on the link at least five minutes before the designated start time so that you can go through the process of installing the software.

What equipment do I need?

To participate fully on this interactive call you'll need:

• a computer, tablet, or smart phone
• headphones
• a microphone
• to have downloaded the Zoom Client for Meetings program to your device in advance
• a good internet connection
• something to write on and with (eg paper and pencil, tablet and stylus).

Do I need to have my video on?

Yes, please! This session is highly interactive so please come with your video on and ready to connect and reflect with other like-minded people.

As virtual meetings can lack some of the richness of in-person experiences, we recommend using video when you can as it helps provide useful contextual and visual cues that other participants would otherwise miss out on.

About Balcony Time:

Do you struggle to find time to think?

• Are your days filled with back-to-back meetings?
• Are you so busy with urgent tasks that there’s no time to focus on the important ones?
• Do you wish you could spend more time on the balcony and less time on the dance floor?

If so, you’re in the right place!

It's hard to be a leader in today's increasingly complex, uncertain, fast-changing world.

We understand what it’s like to feel:

• pulled in a million directions
• the incessant weight of responsibility on your shoulders
• trapped between wanting to do the right thing and the struggle to figure out what the right thing to do is in this unprecedented context.

As counter-intuitive as it may sound, taking a moment to pause and think could be just what you need to boost your performance, your decision-making, and your sense of calm.

Regular reflection has been shown to improve performance (HBR) and support vertical development (CCL).

Join us for this efficient, 50-minute session of interactive reflection time, where you'll be guided up to take a balcony view (Heifetz) on how you're BEING as well as what you're DOING as a leader.