How our desire is disturbed by undercurrents? This years been a tough gig for so many, and the trickster virus is at work again. Still recovering from Covid, I am trying to keep up with the workload, and yet in parallel to busyness and tiredness, I experience a deep energy…

Abstract: This article argues for a re-think about leaders and organisational culture. It challenges the heroic model of a CEO transforming organisational cultures as if organisations were closed systems and cultures were ‘things’ to be changed. It charts the rise of the Transformational leader engineering culture change in the late…

Dr Simon Western

Simon Western H.L.M. Masséna ensemble — Tour Ravenna Arch Arch Jean Sebag Paris, 1975 Lorenzo Linthout ph At the heart of coaching approaches lies a dominant 20th century narrative. Coaching, (and leadership) are infused by the ethic of modernity, focusing on individualism, functionalism, scientific reductionism, behaviourism and goal focused attainment…

Emancipate yourself with flask-time Simon Western 2020 To cite: Western S. (2020) “In Praise of the Flask” Academia.edu https://birkbeck.academia.edu/SimonWestern Abstract This short essay explores the art of living the good life through the lens of the thermos flask. Internalised as a childhood ‘good object’ that represented happy times- family holidays…

Depth Coaching: is it possible On-line? Is it possible to do real ‘Depth work’ as a Coach, Therapist, Supervisor or Manager when working on-line with clients? I have been asked this question many times when I supervise or train coaches, and it also applies to other working relationships … how to work with deep feelings, emotions…

I just jumped off a phone conversation making the off hand comment ‘Covid time is forgetful time’ — relating to how many balls get dropped at the moment… Yet its more than dropping balls and missing meetings, there is also name forgetting… I cycled for a social distancing meeting with…

Reflections from Leadership a critical text 3rd ed. Sage pub. To cite Western S. (2019:43) Leadership a critical text 3rd ed. Sage pub. “Without followership leadership doesn’t exist. …

Anthony Gormley ‘Mothers Pride’ Picture taken by author: London 2019 Antony Gormley BED started as a drawing. I lay on the floor and my wife drew around me. I made this silhouette into a contour map…www.antonygormley.com This Anthony Gormley artwork I recently visited in London, spoke to me of our human condition. I experienced it as a call to action. The everyday sliced loaf representing to me ‘the bread of life’ — reflecting both our most…