Did you play with figurines as a kid?

I did! Lego and the small plastic animals that came in cereal packets were firm favourites. All sorts of scenarios took place. One day I built a zoo, the next it was a shop - always staging dramas, moving characters around, looking at things from different angles exploring “what ifs”?

Coaching Constellations are basically the same thing - but with serious insight!

I attended a Coaching Constellations course in Melbourne recently. We used figures, objects, and each other as representatives to explore systems, team dynamics and relationships. It was about stepping back, experimenting safely, tapping into our bodies and emotions, and seeing patterns and insight we might otherwise miss.

Who knew those cereal-packet animals I loved as a kid would help prepare me for systems work later in life?

My bollard friends in Geelong (just out of Melbourne – I spend a few days holidaying in Victoria before the course started) look just like the Coaching Constellations figures we used in the course – except life size, and with expressions. The second one along from me is definitely dodgy!

If you or your team would like to experiment with systemic relationships and Coaching Constellations, get in touch. Dodgy expressions are not compulsory!

Some good comes from negative events!

We often see it at times of natural disaster - communities come together, support each other, and solve problems in ways they hadn’t before. And those benefits often last long after the immediate crisis.

The same is true in organisational teams. I’ve certainly experienced plenty of extreme conditions in corporate teams – and benefitted from post-traumatic growth too. 

But what if we built those benefits in advance? 

Our very own amazing Dr Lucy Hone believes it’s possible on an individual level. I believe the same holds true for organisational teams - and team coaching is one way to make it happen.

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with the Taranaki Principals’ Association (thanks for the invitation, Nadia Ballantine) on this topic. It was inspiring to explore how, even in sectors experiencing constant change, teams can develop the resilience, collaboration, and mindset to grow stronger together. A great discussion!

If you’d like to know more about team resilience and how to build it, please get in touch. Or visit the resources section of my website www.growtobe.co.nz.

✨ Constellation (noun): “A group or configuration of ideas, feelings, characteristics or objects that are related in some way.”

This week I spent time combining constellations and coaching — and surprisingly, star signs only came up once!

Exploring the work of John Whittington, expertly facilitated by Karen Tweedie in peaceful Port Melbourne, alongside coaches from across Australia and New Zealand. 

At its core?

⏳ Time

🌏 Place

🤝 Exchange

And the often unseen dynamics that shape everything.

Powerful, practical and slightly mind-bending!

I've added new tools to my systemic leadership and team coaching toolkit — and I’m looking forward to experimenting with clients, sharing insights with colleagues, and heading back to Melbourne later this year to go deeper.

Turns out, when you map systems… they talk back!

If you'd like to chat about benefit of exposing unseen dynamics, get in touch. I'd love to hear from you!