What Do We Do?
Founded by Paul Pinson, brightspace is a unique executive coaching and development company.
We offer dynamic, creative and tailored one to one coaching and team development programmes – all designed to help you find your brightspace…
brightspace:
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My Brightspace
On a regular basis we invite key figures to contribute to the site. This month sees a brilliant article specially written for brightspace by Richard Little of Impact International (see the articles page). We also invite people to share their insights on how they create their brightspace at work and in their lives. This month’s contributor is Gerry Gillen - the Programme Director for the Scottish Leadership Foundation.
June 2008
“I must down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky…..”
John Masefield’s poem, Sea Fever, points to my brightspace.
I love the sea.
I was tracing origins of my name recently and one of the derivations threw up GUILLEN. Apparently this is of Spanish origin and indeed I have taken a photograph of a bakery in Spain run by a Jose Guillen. The Guillens were a seafaring bunch who were on board a ship of the Spanish Armada, which was blown off course and crashed onto rocks off the coast of Ireland. Survivors became known as the Black Irish because of their swarthy skin, settled in Ireland, married local girls and Guillen became Gillen.
What has this to do with “My Brightspace”? Well, whether this is connected or not but I find my most reflective moments when I’m by or on the sea. For me it puts things in perspective and it is a contrast with the work I do. You can’t mentor or coach waves, you can’t operate a change management programme on the tide, and you can’t quell the anger of a storm with mediation or an action learning set.
It tells me that in spite of all our aspirations and perceived sophistication, there is a force and power over which I have no control. The realisation of this allows me to empty my head and view what’s really important. The space and the brightness of thought that this brings helps me, unlike my ancestors, to stay off the rocks.
Gerry Gillen, Programme Director, Scottish Leadership Foundati
http://slfscotland.com
Previously…February 2008
My brightspace…is to dare to dream!!
As I have grown older I have learned to use many regular patterns of behaviour to cope with life’s twists and turns. I know what has served me well and what has not but I can easily get locked into a predictable pattern that gives comfort but lacks the excitement and hope of getting the most from life.
So for me it is about creating the space to dream of what the future might be, that eternal expectation that life offers ever greater experiences both at home and work.
I achieve my personal space to dream through running and a good sleep! But mostly over a glass of wine with like-minded friends who share the belief that to dream of the future is the first step to achieving it.
In the workplace the same effect is achieved (without the wine!) by getting together with colleagues - normally for a review of where we are and a no holds barred brainstorm on what could be. These can be simple meetings of limited time, one to one through to a full team day with lots of flip charts, coloured pens, glue and sticky labels; let the imagination run. We invariably emerge realising that we have achieved a lot, life is not that bad, and that there is the possibility of so much more that we can all achieve.
Happy dreaming!
David Barr, Head of HR Shared Services, Standard Life
http://ukgroup.standardlife.com/html/index.html
December 2007
“My brightspace… is a fresh, clear day on top of a mountain.
I’m a keen hillwalker, and I try to get out every weekend. I always have a destination – a goal – but I like to enjoy the journey there. It’s not always comfortable, and sometimes the mist rolls in, making navigation a bit trickier. But as I ascend towards my destination, the rhythm of the walk, the climb and the scramble gradually unravels whatever challenges may have been taxing my brain during the week. Imagination and intuition are let loose. By the time I reach the top, things have slotted into place, the mist clears, and everything makes sense.
I keep this brightspace with me metaphorically at work through the week – sitting near an open window helps! It’s about breathing properly, drinking plenty of water, and visualising that moment of clarity on top of the highest peak. All that, plus focusing on the chewier bits of work at the start of the day when I’m fresh.”
Cindy Sughrue, Executive Producer, Scottish Ballet
www.scottishballet.co.uk
“As a coach Paul has given me back control of my own destiny. His sessions have given me much needed space to take stock and focus, the fire fighting has stopped and life is full of possibilities again. He encourages you to delve into the truth, banish the easy way out and get real.”
Samantha Spence, Managing Director
Eskimo
www.eskimoonline.com
