Tom Watkins Coaching (that’s the entire team, pictured) is based in Te Tauihu (near Whakatū/Nelson), Aotearoa/New Zealand. I’ve owned a number of professional training consultancy groups, studied with the Tom Peters Group (USA) and the Australasian Institute of Socio-Analysis, coached several consultant trainers and facilitators into successful careers, and authored a number of related publications.
I sing without a net, garden recklessly, tend to over-estimate my DIY skills, tell true stories live in public, enjoy sea-kayaking (there’s a lot of sea around here), and relate well to cats and dogs.
My work is driven by an interest in helping people change systems within and around them to release energy for progress. At times this has focused on occupational training, community development, interpersonal relationships, men’s groups, co-counselling, training trainers, transition management, strategic planning, developing organisational culture, teams, managers and leaders. Training in Interpersonal Communication Practices and providing 1:1 leadership and self-management coaching are my principal professional activities these days.
A constant thread has been my belief in the need for “right” relationships in which people experience themselves as inter-connected, treated justly and respected for their humanity. The essential basis for this, I believe, is a “right” relationship with the self.
In all things personal or professional, I value mindfulness, self-responsibility and collaboration above improvised quick-fixes, blaming, complaining or going-it-alone. I recommend the Scenic Route.
My clients have included:
Client comments
“Tom Watkins is a highly professional mentor who functions from a well-cemented value base. His consummate integrity and personal conduct led to a trusting relationship, essential for a successful mentor/client rapport” . . . “He has exceptional listening skills, is amazingly perceptive and has a style that instils trust and confidence” . . . “Tom brings the much needed ‘soul’ to management and leadership” . . . [He] has walked with me through adversity, encouraged me to explore opportunities, taught me the skills to coach and lead, and been a trusted advisor and mentor for much of my working life.” . . . [He] has a wide experience of the technical skills and attributes required in senior management who has also mastered the art of management-with-heart”.
” . . . I cannot recall attending any other training which consistently (across four sessions) delivered such in-depth learning opportunities and insights. This was entirely attributed to Tom’s ability to guide, challenge and support participants towards achieving their workshop goal(s). I have also had opportunity to be a third party observer of the difference in personal self awareness and strengthened resilience that can be gained through engaging in one-to-one coaching and mentoring with Tom. Partnering with Tom in achieving your professional and personal development is highly recommended.”
“Tom is a superb facilitator of change and improvement within organizations. He has great skill in teasing out from individuals and groups the impediments to better performance and in helping them resolve conflicts and develop solutions to problems. Management can be a lonely task, especially at senior level, and Tom’s empathy and insights born of long experience provide invaluable support.”
How to contact me
You can contact me anytime by email or find my full contact details on this page.
