Simon Confino Conversation Coach...
Work Talk
Fulfillment in our work life is central to our creative well being.
I believe that the difference between a mediocre life and one ‘well lived’, often boils down to the quality of conversations we have with our family, friends, boss, colleagues, or most importantly with ourselves.
Do we know what we want, and do we have the courage and creativity to talk about it and to negotiate to get more of what we want? Most of us struggle to get it right and very few of us have been supported well to develop the skills to negotiate more effectively.
I specialise in supporting professional people to become more effective and satisfied in their work, and in their lives more generally. As a psychologist, and the managing director of a communications consultancy, Brainchild UK, I bring a wealth of experience to my work in supporting people to grow in confidence. I look closely at the link between our inner lives and how this is expressed in the outside world. In the end, it all boils down to having better conversations.
My clients always agree that their lives would move on profoundly if they could actually have the conversations that they need to have, with the people they need to have them with.
So why is it so difficult to start? Think about it for yourself a moment. Who is on your list of people to talk with?
I will put money it includes some of the following;
Our WorkTalk together.
It depends on a number of things. If you want to be seen 1 to 1 I charge £80 per hour. Sessions are usually 90 minutes, so £120.
If your business/organisation is paying, it is £150 per hour + VAT
2. What about WorkTalk in small groups?
I love working with groups. I see small groups of up to 6 people who are all working on similar issues. We meet every two weeks for 3 hours weekday evenings, for a total of about 10 weeks. (people are free to come and go) Each session costs £120+ VAT. And includes a buffet supper!
3. What are the advantages of group work?
Firstly they are cheaper on an hourly basis.
Secondly, many people find group working preferable because they can learn from one another and offer/receive mutual peer support between sessions. Obviously, the advantage of 1 to 1 is that you get complete confidentiality, privacy and focus on your unique issues.
4. Where do you work from?
I have three locations:
Our work is highly practical. We will work with real life examples of issues affecting your life now. We will look at who you are within the story, what are your dilemmas. Together we will strategise a route forward and make a plan. Inevitably the plan will involve key conversations which we will practice using a variety of techniques.
Where relevant, I will include models from Psychology which illuminate the situation.
6. What are your qualifications to do this work?
Being the 6th of seven children in a very complex family has provided me with my most profound learnings!
Additionally In a career spanning 25 years I have managed very successful teams in advertising agencies handling multi-faceted Accounts.
12 years ago I co created Brainchild, a creative and strategic consultancy, which handles large accounts in the area of brand and Government communications.
More formally:
Complete the form, send it to me and I will contact you by phone to discuss your needs and to arrange an initial meeting. At the initial meeting which is one hour long, we will establish if and how we want to work together.
8. How do I know I can trust you?
I am happy for you to take up references from people I work with.
Other than that you don’t, but there again how do I know I can trust you?! It’s a fair deal
9. What about confidentiality?
Trust between us is crucial. I undertake to keep all personal information absolutely confidential.
10. Anything else I need to know about you?
Not really, but if you are interested I am married to a Psychoanalyst and have two children with her. More importantly I have a great love and belief in people which sounds a little flaky. Flaky or not it is true and inspires the love I have for this work and my belief that your life can be much fuller of good stuff. Give it a try.
Work Talk
Fulfillment in our work life is central to our creative well being.
I believe that the difference between a mediocre life and one ‘well lived’, often boils down to the quality of conversations we have with our family, friends, boss, colleagues, or most importantly with ourselves.
Do we know what we want, and do we have the courage and creativity to talk about it and to negotiate to get more of what we want? Most of us struggle to get it right and very few of us have been supported well to develop the skills to negotiate more effectively.
I specialise in supporting professional people to become more effective and satisfied in their work, and in their lives more generally. As a psychologist, and the managing director of a communications consultancy, Brainchild UK, I bring a wealth of experience to my work in supporting people to grow in confidence. I look closely at the link between our inner lives and how this is expressed in the outside world. In the end, it all boils down to having better conversations.
My clients always agree that their lives would move on profoundly if they could actually have the conversations that they need to have, with the people they need to have them with.
So why is it so difficult to start? Think about it for yourself a moment. Who is on your list of people to talk with?
I will put money it includes some of the following;
- Your boss, who is a poor manager and communicator and doesn't see your potential, or the reality of what you contribute. ("What if s/he does 'see' me, but doesn't think so highly of me after all! Better not to risk it and leave it for another time")
- Your sister/brother who you know you need to have an 'adult' relationship with, but it is too tempting and difficult to shift from the past. ("Why should I make the first move, they are older than me anyway, it's their job!")
- Your life partner, who you need to say sorry to. (But only when they say sorry first) This being a step in recreating the relationship into a really open, honest and vibrant one…Scary!
- The person reporting to you who is taking the p**s. It is difficult to put your finger on it, but they are not pulling their weight, they have the wrong spirit and you are having to work even harder because you are responsible, it is your reputation on the line. ("How do I say it in a way where they can’t wriggle off the hook, and which really changes them for the good?")
- Your important friend who you have let drift away, and don’t know how to get back.
- And finally the most important conversation of all, the one you have with yourself. Some people get worried with the thought that we have a conversation with ourselves. It makes them think of split personality disorder! However we all do it and most of us handle the conversation really badly.
- Procrastination and stress are often good barometers of a poor conversation going on in your head. Unresolved issues float about without a home to go to. It is as if there is a stand off between the different parts of you which are giving you contradictory advice. Advice from friends sometimes helps, sometimes they just add to the voices to accommodate and placate, leading to more stress and procrastination.
Our WorkTalk together.
FAQ
1. How much does it cost?It depends on a number of things. If you want to be seen 1 to 1 I charge £80 per hour. Sessions are usually 90 minutes, so £120.
If your business/organisation is paying, it is £150 per hour + VAT
2. What about WorkTalk in small groups?
I love working with groups. I see small groups of up to 6 people who are all working on similar issues. We meet every two weeks for 3 hours weekday evenings, for a total of about 10 weeks. (people are free to come and go) Each session costs £120+ VAT. And includes a buffet supper!
3. What are the advantages of group work?
Firstly they are cheaper on an hourly basis.
Secondly, many people find group working preferable because they can learn from one another and offer/receive mutual peer support between sessions. Obviously, the advantage of 1 to 1 is that you get complete confidentiality, privacy and focus on your unique issues.
4. Where do you work from?
I have three locations:
- Central London. (Great Portland Street W1)
- North London, Highgate (for one to one work)
- North London, Hampstead (for group work)
Our work is highly practical. We will work with real life examples of issues affecting your life now. We will look at who you are within the story, what are your dilemmas. Together we will strategise a route forward and make a plan. Inevitably the plan will involve key conversations which we will practice using a variety of techniques.
Where relevant, I will include models from Psychology which illuminate the situation.
6. What are your qualifications to do this work?
Being the 6th of seven children in a very complex family has provided me with my most profound learnings!
Additionally In a career spanning 25 years I have managed very successful teams in advertising agencies handling multi-faceted Accounts.
12 years ago I co created Brainchild, a creative and strategic consultancy, which handles large accounts in the area of brand and Government communications.
More formally:
- I have a first degree in Economics and Government.
- A post Graduate Diploma in Humanistic Psychology. (Surrey University)
- I have completed an intensive foundation in Psychotherapy from Spectrum.
- I am also in Supervision and therapy with a UKCP accredited senior psychotherapyst.
- I have completed and facilitated numerous courses in communications, team working and personal development.
Complete the form, send it to me and I will contact you by phone to discuss your needs and to arrange an initial meeting. At the initial meeting which is one hour long, we will establish if and how we want to work together.
8. How do I know I can trust you?
I am happy for you to take up references from people I work with.
Other than that you don’t, but there again how do I know I can trust you?! It’s a fair deal
9. What about confidentiality?
Trust between us is crucial. I undertake to keep all personal information absolutely confidential.
10. Anything else I need to know about you?
Not really, but if you are interested I am married to a Psychoanalyst and have two children with her. More importantly I have a great love and belief in people which sounds a little flaky. Flaky or not it is true and inspires the love I have for this work and my belief that your life can be much fuller of good stuff. Give it a try.
