Executive Insights: GrowthPoints Blog

Tips, ideas and tools to support your leadership

Haunted by the ghosts of past decisions?
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Haunted by the ghosts of past decisions?

Haunted by past decisions? Instead of fearing the ghosts in the boardroom, invite them in for a chat. After all, understanding our past is the first step to a brighter, less haunted future.

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Board orientation: emerging best practices
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Board orientation: emerging best practices

Many governing boards navigated the pandemic by moving most of its interaction to online resources, meetings and briefings. But now other options are possible, and it’s time to reimagine the orientation practices, interactions and experiences you want to provide. Done well, you’ll set a tone for more effective relationships, productive interactions and enjoyable board meetings throughout the year.

Here are some best practices that reflect these changing norms and trends, along with real-life scenarios to illustrate how to put these ideas into practice.

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Unlocking Executive Potential with Group Coaching
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Unlocking Executive Potential with Group Coaching

As an executive coach, I have the privilege of working with dynamic and driven teams, helping them navigate the complexities of leadership and collaboration. My goal is to support these teams in unlocking their full potential, fostering an environment where innovative ideas flourish, and strategic goals are achieved. Through my experience, I have found several methodologies to be particularly effective in coaching executive teams, and I’d like to share these with you.

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Boost your EQ: transformative tips for executive leaders
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Boost your EQ: transformative tips for executive leaders

One of the most transformative steps executives can take is to expand their capacity to respond (rather than react) in difficult situations. Each of us has this capacity, but applying it consistently under high-pressure situations takes discipline and practice.

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How successful women leaders navigate obstacles
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

How successful women leaders navigate obstacles

Recognizing your obstacles, and choosing one to overcome, can be a turning point in your story of growth and resilience. Just as we harness physical energy sources to power our lives, you too can channel your inner strengths to illuminate your path to leadership.

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Leading change? Consider a governance review
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Leading change? Consider a governance review

Out of the many tools that help organizations to navigate times of growth, change or uncertainty, a governance review is one that has lasting value. Whether you’re a business trying to navigate a complex regulatory landscape or a not-for-profit aiming to streamline its decision-making for greater impact, a governance review provides a compass to guide you through the fog, ensuring you stay on course towards your goals.

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Ready to manage stress differently this year?
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Ready to manage stress differently this year?

Stress management has become an essential skill for executive leaders. Knowing how to manage your stress better will benefit not only your own well-being but your whole organization, because “stress flows downhill.” Managing your own stress is essential for your team and overall organizational success. In this blog post, we’ll explore practical strategies to help executive leaders navigate the challenges of stress and create a supportive work environment.

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Executive Assessments: What are my options?
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Executive Assessments: What are my options?

Assessments are used as part of executive coaching to provide valuable insights into an individual's strengths, development areas, and overall leadership style. Some of these tools can also be used to produce team profiles from the individual assessments to help leadership teams develop mutual appreciation, trust and enhanced teamwork. Some of the most widely recognized include Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), DiSC, StrengthFinder, 360 Feedback Reviews, and a range of Leadership Effectiveness Inventories. It's important to note that each assessment serves a specific purpose, and the selection of assessments may vary based on the coaching goals, organizational context, and individual preferences. Executive coaches often tailor the assessment approach to meet the unique needs of their clients.

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Hey, Founders…
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Hey, Founders…

When you’re reaching new levels of success for your company, it can be exhilarating and daunting at the same time. If you are looking for some helpful context and ideas on how to lead the next stage of change at your company, this letter is for you!

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Leadership Trick or Treat: what masks do you wear?
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Leadership Trick or Treat: what masks do you wear?

Most of us who have been adventurous in our careers know that as leaders, it's natural to feel like we're wearing a costume or mask at times. We may unconsciously decide to project a certain image or persona to fit the expectations of a new role.

But in the pursuit of confidence and success, leaders often find themselves wearing metaphorical masks that conceal their true selves. These masks serve as shields, providing a sense of security and bravado in the workplace. While they may initially offer a boost in confidence, these shields can ultimately hinder authentic leadership and meaningful connections with others.

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The CEO’s guide to executive retreat planning
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

The CEO’s guide to executive retreat planning

Every executive team has unique needs, so think about what specific goals you want to achieve at this retreat. Executive retreats are valuable for several reasons and have the potential to transform an organization in significant ways. What kind of transformative impact does your team need most right now?

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Executive Coaching Packages: What are my options?
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Executive Coaching Packages: What are my options?

Executive coaching is proven methodology to empower your teams and nurture their growth, with many options for delivery. But how can CEOs and HR/People and Culture leaders know which approach provide the best value for your leaders? This article provides insights into your options for coaching packages to meet your organization's unique needs.

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Workplace Culture and Business Strategy
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Workplace Culture and Business Strategy

The topic of workplace culture can be overwhelming for executives and management consultants alike. In a fascinating discussion, Kate Fagan Taylor explains the importance of ‘culture with intention’- and how management consultants can help raise awareness of workplace culture with executives, so that it can be assessed and improved, or celebrated.

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Top trends for better strategy development
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Top trends for better strategy development

As a CEO, strategy development is a critical component of managing your organization, and for good reason. The stakes are high, and the world is constantly evolving, with new challenges and opportunities every day. You don’t need a strategy that sits in a folder- you need one that inspires, motivates and guides your people to achieve ambitious goals. Traditional strategic planning processes can be frustrating, time-consuming, feel disconnected from your everyday work and finances, and may not always align with the needs of your business. This blog post share some of the most important trends in strategic planning that you should know.

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Leading well, as the year ends
Kate Fagan Taylor Kate Fagan Taylor

Leading well, as the year ends

Even if you can’t get it all done before the holidays, this is a time when “planning to plan” actually works!

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