Mike Stimson

Mike has been working as an executive coach in an international context for the last ten years. He works from a belief in the importance of helping clients to develop their skills against clear objectives for the benefit of the organization.

Having lived and worked in Ethiopia, Brunei, Croatia and Brazil, Mike has a particular interest in and understanding of cross-cultural management while working globally. He has the ability to relate quickly to different cultures and to understand the challenges facing managers who are working internationally, often in virtual teams. The results achieved in his coaching thus take account not only of individual need but also of the effect of organizational and national cultures.

Recent clients have included:

• Austrian Sales director in an international pharmaceutical company- he needed to clarify objectives for personal development in a new role
• Professor of Sociology at a university – originally from India she wanted to develop her assertiveness and influencing skills in a hostile environment
• British Manager in BP Angola who was experiencing difficulties in team working, particularly with Angolan staff.
• Director of Finance in a university who was coached in making more effective impact in senior meetings and in group discussions.
• Portuguese HR Director- in a biochemical company in Portugal -  improved goal setting and managing her relationship with her boss

Mike was employed by the British Council for seventeen years and had postings in ELTI, Croatia, Brazil and HR. As Head of Training and Development he was responsible for a full international management development programme and introduced executive coaching to the organization. Since becoming an independent consultant he has facilitated numerous workshops in Europe, Africa and Latin America with such global companies as Schlumberger, BP, Hilton, Sun Microsystems and Microsoft. He is also a feedback coach on the International Leadership programme of the Centre for Creative Leadership.

Mike is a Fellow of the Institute of Personnel Development, holds a Diploma in Coaching from the Institute of Leadership and Management and is qualified to use MBTI, FIRO-B, CPI 260 and other psychometric instruments which he regularly uses in his coaching. He is co-author of ‘Management in English Language Teaching’ and speaks good Portuguese.