Linda Allen-Hardisty, PresidentIn an interview with Manage HR, Linda Allen-Hardisty, President of Allen-Hardisty Leadership Group, shares insights into the company’s genesis and value propositions.
Could you tell us about your experience and how it helps Allen-Hardisty Leadership Group maintain its top position in the market?
I started Allen-Hardisty Leadership Group 12 years back to spark new insights in every coaching conversation.
In the beginning, the company was focused more on facilitating strategic planning. I gradually realized that clients wanted coaching that could help them to better lead change with their people and to ultimately drive their businesses forward. This is what drove me to pivot into the field of leadership coaching.
I have been a certified leadership coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF) since 2014 and have experience in coaching leaders in all leadership positions. As a result, I have a strong understanding in how leaders develop. This understanding and my wealth of coaching experience enable us to design custom solutions that help business owners and leaders meet their goals.
What are the challenges that leaders face today?
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses to adapt and innovate in ways they never thought possible. Even after two years into the catastrophe, leaders and their teams are still learning how to mitigate its impacts. There are discussions regarding employee engagement going forward in this world of changing expectations and hybrid work. Unfortunately, the extent of challenges that leaders face in the post-pandemic world is not receiving much attention. There have been extraordinary examples of leaders who truly transformed themselves in order to lead team members through changing workplace culture, formulate business strategies, and focus on customers. While fulfilling all these responsibilities, they don’t get the time to strengthen their leadership muscles.
Our goal is to help leaders succeed in the post-pandemic realm and become more effective in their roles. This directly impacts the bottom line of a business, as successful leaders are the key drivers of vital organizational strategies.
Fortunately, businesses are treating leadership development as a strategic business imperative, rather than it being a nice add on. They are increasing investment in leadership development to empower high-potential leaders. Organizations have realized that it is imperative to improve organizational culture and attract and retain key talents.
Could you elaborate on the features and benefits of Allen-Hardisty’s leadership development services?
Individual executive leadership coaching is the foundation of all the work we do. It is supplemented with leadership development modules with content focusing on team effectiveness, culture, communication, responding to failures and increasing motivation.
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Our goal is to help leaders succeed in the post pandemic realm and become more effective in their roles. This directly impacts the bottom line of a business, as successful leaders are the key drivers of vital organizational strategies
We also conduct team coaching, where we work directly with the entire executive team to help them strengthen their effectiveness with each other. A key component of team coaching is a leadership 360 profile, which is essential to understand the collective leadership effectiveness.
Can you explain the approach you take while providing services to your clients?
The first step of the client onboarding process revolves around discussing the working relationship between me, as the coach and the executive, as my coachee. This is crucial to set the agenda and discuss the challenges that clients face to make the engagement fruitful for both parties.
Many of our clients are still in the recovery phase after the scramble of the pandemic. As a coach, I conduct individual coaching sessions with leaders twice a month, where they discuss the challenges that continue to bother them or how to move forward with an opportunity. This is how we become their thinking partner.
Could you cite instances where you enabled clients to overcome hurdles and attain desired outcomes?
I have been working with a client for four years. Within this time period, they have been able to triple their revenue and set a strong footprint across Western Canada. Every year, we do strategic and business planning with their entire leadership team and employees, and conduct one-on-one coaching with all the individual leadership team members. This has enabled the client to retain a majority of their leaders and promote them to the next level.
The CEO often publicizes about the success they achieved due to the coaching. In addition, he always mentions my name for the role of coaching in driving the effectiveness of their team and being a contributor to their business growth.
What sets your company apart in the current marketplace?
My industry experience in leadership coaching is one of the major differentiators. I have worked in multiple roles prior to opening Allen-Hardisty Leadership Group, and in many cases, I was one of the few women in that position. I have witnessed firsthand how difficult it is to do all strategic planning and resolve internal challenges.
Businesses today are realizing the importance of having a coach with international certifications and extensive experience in the coaching world. My ICF certification gives clients the confidence to work with Allen-Hardisty Leadership Group.
