NICK WRIGHT
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Testimonials
  • Articles
    • Organisations and leadership
    • Learning and development
    • Coaching and counselling
  • Blog
  • e-Resources
  • News
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Testimonials
  • Articles
    • Organisations and leadership
    • Learning and development
    • Coaching and counselling
  • Blog
  • e-Resources
  • News
  • Contact

Façades

8/3/2013

19 Comments

 
​It stands around the corner from an authentic Thai restaurant in central London. On the face of it, it’s an elegant building. As you walk past, however, you realise with surprise that the frontage is a façade, an elaborate shield concealing a plain office building that lies behind it. It’s a striking metaphor, a symbol of sorts for an inauthentic life. It challenged me powerfully yet silently to consider the masks I wear, the images I project to disguise my real self.

Some years ago, John Powell published a popular, short self help book, ‘Why am I afraid to tell you who I am?’ He explored how we attempt to protect our fragile egos and avoid our fear rejection by acting out roles or playing games. These are defensive routines aimed at minimising social anxiety or negative evaluation. By putting on a front that we believe will impress others, we attempt to feel better about ourselves and to win others’ approval. 

At one level, these strategies can prove successful in life and work. It’s one reason why we pay attention to our physical appearance, the way we behave and conduct ourselves in public, the way we present ourselves at job interviews etc. From our earliest childhood experiences, we learn what wins love and affirmation from others within our key relationships, social environments and culture. We learn how to play the game.

At another level, however, keeping up appearances can prove self-defeating. Over time we may feel alienated from ourselves, not sure how we really are, and alienated from others, not sure if we are really loved and accepted. We can feel lonely, frustrated and tired. It’s as if, paradoxically, the façades we create to develop and maintain relationships can have the opposite effect, preventing authentic and intimate contact with others.

This presents us with a dilemma, an anxiety-provoking risk. What if I remove the mask, tell you what I’m really thinking, show you how I’m really feeling? Would you love and accept me for who I am or would you look at me with disappointment in your eyes? Will making myself vulnerable release you to be vulnerable too? Can we find a new way of connecting that feels more real, more authentic, less defended, less like a façade?

It can feel like a breathtaking step. The possibility feels exciting and yet the potential feels daunting. I’m reminded of Jesus’ call in the gospels: ‘remove the mask and come into the light’. There is further New Testament teaching too: ‘perfect love casts out fear’. If God can love and accept me as I am, perhaps I can learn to love and accept myself and to love and accept others too. Perhaps that’s where it starts, feeling truly safe with God.

So therein lies the challenge. As a leader and a coach, am I willing to make myself vulnerable so that others can be vulnerable too? Can I demonstrate unconditional love with such honesty that others feel safe to remove their masks, to take down their façades? Can I find new ways to relate to others with an increasing sense of trust and authenticity, creating ever-deeper levels of contact? It’s certainly a goal worth praying and striving for.
19 Comments
John
9/3/2013 09:27:59 am

An interesting question. Have you considered starting a mission for reflective practice in your own church or religious community? You would have to stop being a consultant for a while and focus on finding a space and appealing for witness. Prepare to send letters and preach, possibly you will have to audition to preach. Good luck!

Reply
Nick Wright
9/3/2013 12:28:12 pm

Hi John and thanks for the note. You pose an interesting question. I have worked to develop reflective practice within various churches and faith based organisations, to be honest with varying degrees of receptivity and success depending on the prevailing culture within those bodies. I'm less interested in preaching, less gifted at it too, and more interested in creating spaces for exploration and dialogue as a route to developing reflective practice. With best wishes. Nick

Reply
James Henman, Ph.D. link
9/3/2013 09:37:49 am


Nick,
The masks we wear create a paradox. The more successful our masks seem to work, the more fear we have at letting them drop, and the less we can actually believe the reactions we get from others. Masks feed anxiety and insecurity - if they like me with my mask, will they like me without it?

I came to the realization that no matter how I'm coming across, some people will like me, some people won't like me, and most will be too preoccupied with themselves to really notice.

I also realized that the folks that didn't care for me with my masks, might actually like me if I was real; and those who liked me with my mask were often folks I didn't really care for myself.

When my relationship with my Big Brother Jesus became intimate enough to be real and significant, I could begin to let down my masks a little at a time. Knowing who I am in Him helped offset the risk of being rejected by others.

Now those who like me, know the real me and I can accept their caring, and those who don't like me, well...

I so agree with you that being transparent with grace, both for myself and others, helps make healthy change possible.

Reply
Nick Wright
9/3/2013 12:50:58 pm

Hi James and thanks for such a thoughtful response. I agree with you that masks create a paradox. They serve us well at one level and yet undermine the very things we hope for at a deeper level. I remember a girlfriend as a teenager who didn't want to leave the house without wearing make up (a kind of literal mask) in case others thought less of her without it.

She felt trapped and pressured by cultural expectations of how she 'should' look as a young woman. In fact, she looked beautiful without the make up, but it took her a while to realise and really believe that for herself. I think it illustrates an example of peer pressure, reinforced by cultural norms, that influence how we choose and feel safe to present ourselves, behave etc.

I liked your comments about the influence that meeting Jesus has had in your life and on your ability to let your own masks down a little at a time. It reminded me of insights from attachment theory and the significance of knowing and believing we are loved for who we are by at least one other signficant person. That reminded me of two blogs you may find interesting on related topics:

http://www.nick-wright.com/1/post/2011/06/getting-attached.html; http://www.nick-wright.com/1/post/2012/01/why-is-grace-so-hard.html. Let me what you think?

It sounds like you have developed an emotionally mature approach to relationships, recognising that 'no matter how I'm coming across, some people will like me, some people won't like me, and most will be too preoccupied with themselves to really notice.' It enables you to be free in who you are, not preoccupied or driven by trying to satisfy what you perceive as others' expectations of you.

With thanks again and best wishes. Nick

Reply
James Henman, Ph.D. link
9/3/2013 10:26:18 pm

It just hit me as I read the flow of conversation again, and an important piece of God's Plan that needs to be realized is: "Who we are at the core is becoming" and for myself personally "Who I am at the core is becoming in Christ". I'm afraid that most Christians approach their recovery/sanctification from their old nature.

When you look at the focus on "rules" and "formula's" and "performance", it becomes clear that man continues to improve on God's Plan for healthy change and growth.

I like your nuggets and look forward to further exchange over time.

James Henman, Ph.D.

Nick Wright
10/3/2013 01:19:53 am

Hi James. I've been thinking more about this topic too. Firstly, about how groups can model and reinforce façade behaviour. For instance, all groups develop cultural norms with implicit or expectations concerning what is acceptable behaviour. It provides a level of group identity, cohesion, belonging and predictability. Anyone who belongs to the group or wants to join it has to learn to conform socially within that group's norms and expectations. This may involve wearing a mask in order to feel and be accepted.

This is a particular risk for some church cultures that seek to portray themselves as, e.g. squeaky clean, super spiritual and always happy. It can force people in the church to wear masks that hide their true selves, their doubts, hopes, fears and struggles etc. It lacks reality and authenticity, prevents honest conversations that could enable spiritual growth and excludes people who feel unable to mirror that culture or live up to its standards.

Secondly, some organisations put up façades by developing sophisticated brands, advertising etc. that aim to portray an image or evoke a feeling about the business and its products or services that doesn't match the reality. It's inauthenticity at an institutional level. Some have unhealthily politicised cultures that pressurise staff to put up a front to keep their jobs or to succeed. It creates suspicion and fear and undermines potential for learning.

Finally, there are situations and occasions where wearing a mask can be positive and beneficial, even the 'right' thing to do. For example, we expect teachers, nurses and customer services staff to behave in a certain way towards their respective clients, irrespective of what or how they may be feeling inside. Leaders sometimes need to look and behave confidently in order to inspire confidence in others, in spite of what they may be feeling inside.

I would love to hear if you or others have any further thoughts on this. With best wishes. Nick

James Henman, Ph.D. link
9/3/2013 02:18:51 pm

We seem to have a lot in common at the deeper level of how we perceive relationships, both personal and professional. I'd love your reactions to the discussion on Counseling Psychology on: Integrating Coaching and Therapy, currently going.
James Henman

Reply
Nick Wright
9/3/2013 03:32:23 pm

Hi James and thanks for the note. Is that the Counselling Psychology group in LinkedIn? Sounds like an interesting topic - I'll have a look. I did my own postgrad studies in coaching psychology and I guess that's where perhaps coaching and therapy come close together, merging at points with only a thin, permeable dotted line between them. With best wishes. Nick

Reply
James Henman, Ph.D. link
10/3/2013 10:38:09 am

Nick,
Great example of my dyslexia in action. I meant "Coaching Psychology" group.

The nugget regarding wearing a mask at times of necessity, vs. choosing how much to share at a particular moment/context/person is a wonderful discussion in itself.

Nick Wright
10/3/2013 02:35:14 pm

Hi James. Yes, it's an interesting question. When is wearing a mask a 'good' and helpful thing and when is it a 'bad' or unhelpful thing? What is it that makes the difference? With best wishes. Nick

Bridget
10/3/2013 11:34:09 am

Hi Nick
Such a real and authentic blog about wearing masks!!

“Would you love and accept me for who I am or would you look at me with disappointment in your eyes?” Yes, that’s the question!

I attended a conference a few months ago entitled “Free to be”. The whole conference was about shame and fear and the things we do to hide the feelings (often deep feelings) of shame we carry with us. Apparently, women are particularly prone to feeling ashamed of who they are and that they are not good enough in some way.

The masks that we wear can end up causing us more pain than the shame... I certainly have periods in my own life when the prevailing question is “What’s wrong with me?” until I get so fed up of this that I start asking “What’s right with me?!”

I agree with you, Nick, that acceptance starts with feeling safe with God and having a deep enough relationship with him such that we can relate to others from this secure place. If He says I am OK, then I am OK. If He says I am amazing, then I am amazing! (I’m still working on this.)

I find the times when I feel the most secure are the times when I am “free” to focus on others too, instead of being preoccupied with myself. As leaders, we have to walk the tension of being authentic and vulnerable but not bleeding over those who follow us, of being confident and inspiring but not appearing so sorted that others don’t feel they can acknowledge their weaknesses.... Tricky stuff!

If you havn’t already seen it, you might like this TED talk on The Power Of Vulnerability by Brene Brown http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o

She has also written a book called “Living with Imperfection” which I definitely need to get a copy of!
Blessings
B

Reply
Nick Wright
10/3/2013 02:47:27 pm

Hi Bridget and thanks for sharing such honest reflections. I found your comment about wearing masks to hide shame very interesting. It reminded me of some Asian cultures within which 'saving face' and shame are closely linked. I wonder if the pressure or expectation to wear a mask can feel even greater within those cultural environments.

I liked your comment about being free to focus on others rather than being preoccupied with self. I guess masks are often self-orientated, either self-promoting or self-protecting, although sometimes they could be worn to protect others too. For example, a parent who puts on a brave face in a scary situation to protect their children from being afraid.

I agree with and recognise the tension you describe in leadership. It can be tricky to walk the line you describe and to be consistent in doing so. It's a balance I find difficult to sustain at times. I liked the title of the conference you mentioned, 'Free to be' and thank you for sharing the link to the TED talk and the book reference. I like the title, 'Living with Imperfection'. I need that too. :)

With best wishes. Nick

Reply
Renata link
10/3/2013 03:19:17 pm

Nick,
You are a great storyteller. I truly enjoyed reading this story as it resonates with my latest interest in people who carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Being constantly worried about others could be a form of facade, couldn't it? For example, if a person wants to be considered a good mother, she might be saying to her children - I worry about you very much. What is the intention behind her statement? What's her facade?

Reply
Nick Wright
10/3/2013 04:11:11 pm

Hi Renata and thanks for your kind feedback. I think you raise a very important point about intention. In the example you cited, the mother may want to create a good impression of herself to her children and/or others - perhaps that of a caring mother who is continually looking out for her children's best interests.

It could also be that, psychodynamically, the mother projects aspects of herself onto the children, as if denying those aspects of herself (and, thereby, masking them to herself) because she finds it more acceptable to worry about those aspects in her children than to face and deal with them in herself. What do you think?

With best wishes. Nick

Reply
Pip Bruce Ferguson
11/3/2013 01:17:03 pm

Hi all - interesting comments, which the prompts from Nick always seem to evoke! Reading what you say about churches and facades reminds me of a quote from a woman in a church where I worshipped: "The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints". I really like it, it's authentic, and when anybody gets into bellyaching about someone else in the congregation, I remind them of that - and that the sinners include ALL of us!

But it CAN be really hard to fully explore and understand our own motivation, so we do need to be open to disconfirming evidence. We may THINK we're doing things for good motives, but are we really? I'm exploring that in a work situation where I'm currently trying to facilitate improvement - is my motivation pure? how do I know?

Nick, I'm wondering if you know a chorus that goes "Let us open up ourselves to one another, without fear of being hurt or turned away. For we need to express our weaknesses, to be covered by each other's love, to be real, and learn our true identities." Suspect it's going to be a lifetime journey!

Warm regards
Pip

Reply
Nick Wright
12/3/2013 01:28:27 pm

Hi Pip and thanks for the thought-provoking comments. I agree with your reflections on 'church' and I haven't heard that chorus before but the words definitely resonate. :)

I like your question about motivation. It's very hard to know for sure what motivates our own or others' behaviour, especially since we are so good at self-deception. Seeking and being open to challenge or disconfirming evidence sounds like wise advice to me.

I would be interested to hear more about your work to facilitate improvement and how you deal with questions around your own motives. With best wishes. Nick

Reply
gp
12/3/2013 05:03:36 pm

Hello all,
Interesting subject with interesting responses... While reading this post, I am wondering if it is always possible to distinguish between a facade and the authentic self.

As an example, I found myself driving in the snow today despite feeling genuinely scared and extremely uncomfortable with driving in this weather. To overcome this fear, I repeated to myself over and over "I can do this" as I navigated crazy traffic, snow and overtook very slow vehicles. Towards the end of the drive, I became more confident and did not think too much about driving/overtaking. I became the more experienced driver who had more confidence. I felt very proud of myself for driving myself around for 4 hrs!! Question then is, who is this authentic me? The one who was scared, or the one who felt more competent as I drove? It may be true that I was not true to my feelings and to who I am as I felt pressured to drive by my external influences. I had a dental appointment 150 kms away and felt that my fear of the snow would not be justifiable in the context that I am currently in: my German husband does not think that it is a big deal (granted he was not around to see the extent of the snow) and thinks that it is absolutely fine to drive in the snow if you have winter tires. Also, my brother in law, who is here with us this week, commented that he could brave the snow because "he was a German boy"...

A rather silly example but I guess that I am trying to say that sometimes a facade might not be all that bad, and that it is not always easy to identity. (An interesting extension to this would be who/what I chose as my reference point - Germans instead of Belgians) With extending myself, there is the possibility of personal growth, where what was once unreal, becomes real...

This is at least what I tell myself in this cross cultural life I lead. While I don't necessary think that this extension is a facade, it is a "stretched" version of who I can maybe be. This includes being more open to new experiences, less critical to what I think is "wrong", chatty, funny... etc.

Of course, the other assumption is that we always know who we are, and when we are putting up a facade.. I am not quite sure that I always know... As I write this, I am reminded about the verses in Psalm 139:23-24... " Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

I hope this makes sense... thoughts from the middle of the night! :)

Reply
Nick Wright
13/3/2013 01:54:09 am

Thanks, gp, for sharing such profound reflections. I loved the personal example you described of driving in the snow. It reminded me of an example I shared of my daughter in a recent blog which you may be able to identify with: http://www.nick-wright.com/1/post/2013/02/existential-coaching.html#comments.

I really liked your comments, 'I am wondering if it is always possible to distinguish between a facade and the authentic self', 'who is this authentic me? The one who was scared, or the one who felt more competent as I drove?', 'with extending myself...what was once unreal, becomes real', 'it is a stretched version of who I can be.'

It reminded me of three previous related blogs: http://www.nick-wright.com/1/post/2011/07/will-the-real-me-please-stand-up.html; http://www.nick-wright.com/1/post/2011/05/who-are-we.html; http://www.nick-wright.com/1/post/2011/02/whose-thoughts-am-i-thinking.html. What do you think?

It resonates with insights and ideas from existentialism and social constructionism which challenge the notion of a fixed identity. It's as if we can freely choose, to some extent, who we are and become and yet we are subject to all kinds of conscious, subconscious and cultural influences that influence and shape us.

Viewed from this perspective, it's difficult, as you say, to be clear who is the authentic self and, therefore, which is a façade. It's as if all expressions of ourselves are at some level simply that - reflections of who we are, no matter how inconsistent or self-contradictory they may appear.

I would love to hear if you have any further insights and ideas on this, particularly from the cross-cultural perspective you alluded to. I liked the quotation from Psalm 139 that you ended with. :) With thanks and best wishes. Nick

Reply
Martine Bolton
15/4/2013 04:22:02 am

Yes, I think most of us try to present our 'best face' to the world. On the superficial level, I personally don't step out of the house without full make-up on! I like to think I am making myself presentable to me rather than more acceptable to others, but perhaps there is a bit of both going on in there.

I find that I have become pretty pro-active these days in managing my moods/thoughts in the positive, as I am conscious of how we are all impacted by each other's energy. Whilst this is not really the same as putting on a good face (ie to mask something else), I do feel a responsibility to be a positive, or at least neutral (!) influence in the world.

I think emotional honesty is really important though, and try to be as truthful as I can. Because honesty is something I value highly, I tend to think that others will value it too, but this seems not always to be the case. I continue to work on a) knowing when it might be best to keep my thoughts to myself, and b) ensuring I maintain maximum respect when openly sharing.

Thanks as always Nick for the opportunity to clarify my thinking (and learn from others) on subjects relevant to life!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    ​Nick Wright

    ​I'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? ​Get in touch!

    Picture
    Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
    Subscribe to Blog
    Picture
    Picture


    ​Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011

    Categories

    All
    Abc
    Ability
    Accountability
    Achievement
    Act
    Action
    Action Learning
    Active Listening
    Activism
    Adaptability
    Adaptive
    Advent
    Adventure
    Advice
    Advocacy
    Africa
    Age
    Agency
    Agile
    Aid
    Alientation
    Ambiguity
    Anchor
    Angle
    Anthropomorphism
    Anticipation
    Anxiety
    Appraisal
    Appreciation
    Appreciative
    Appreciative Inquiry
    Approach
    Argyris
    Armaments
    Art
    Artificial Intelligence
    Asia
    Aslan
    Assertiveness
    Assumption
    Assumptions
    Asylum
    Asylum Seekers
    Attachment
    Attention
    Attitude
    Attribution
    Audience
    Authenticity
    Authority
    Autonomy
    Avoidance
    Awareness
    BANI
    Baptist
    Behaviour
    Being
    Belief
    Beliefs
    Belonging
    Bereavement
    Berlin Wall
    Bias
    Bible
    Body Language
    Borders
    Boundaries
    Brainstorming
    Brand
    Bridges
    Burnout
    Business
    Cages
    Calling
    Capability
    Cards
    Care
    Career
    Categories
    Censorship
    Challenge
    Chance
    Change
    Chaos
    Character
    Charity
    Child
    Children
    Choice
    Choose
    Christ
    Christian
    Christmas
    Church
    Clarity
    Client
    Climate
    Coach
    Coaching
    Co-active
    Coactive
    Cognition
    Cognitive
    Cognitive Behavioural
    Coincidence
    Collaboration
    Collaborative
    Commitment
    Communication
    Communism
    Community
    Compassion
    Competence
    Competencies
    Competency
    Complexity
    Concepts
    Confidence
    Confidentiality
    Conflict
    Confluence
    Confusion
    Congruence
    Conscience
    Consciousness
    Construct
    Constructivism
    Constructs
    Construe
    Consultancy
    Consulting
    Contact
    Content
    Context
    Contracting
    Contribution
    Control
    Conversation
    Corruption
    Counselling
    Counterintiution
    Counterintuition
    Countertransference
    Courage
    Craziness
    Creativity
    Credibility
    Crisis
    Critical Consciousness
    Critical Reflection
    Critical Reflective Practice
    Critical Reflexivity
    Critical Thinking
    Critique
    Cross
    Cross Cultural
    Cross-cultural
    Cross Culture
    Cross-culture
    Culture
    Curiosity
    Customer Care
    Customers
    Customer Service
    Dad
    Danger
    Darkness
    Death
    Deception
    Decision
    Deconstruction
    Defence
    Defences
    Deferred Gratification
    Definition
    Delight
    Delusion
    Dementia
    Democracy
    Demographics
    Depression
    Despair
    Determination
    Development
    Deviance
    Deviant
    Diagnosis
    Dictatorship
    Diet
    Dignity
    Dilemma
    Disability
    Disaster
    Discernment
    Discipline
    Disclosure
    Discovery
    Discrimination
    Disruptive
    Dissent
    Dissident
    Dissonance
    Distinctiveness
    Distortion
    Diversity
    Doomscrolling
    Dream
    Dynamic
    Dynamic Complexity
    Dynamics
    Dysfunction
    Dysthymia
    Easter
    Ecology
    Economics
    Ecosystems
    Edge
    Edi
    Education
    Effectiveness
    Efficiency
    Ego State
    Election
    Eliciting
    Emergence
    Emotion
    Emotional
    Emotional Intelligence
    Empathy
    Empowerment
    Encounter
    Encouragement
    Energy
    Engagement
    Entrepreneur
    Environment
    Equality
    Eternity
    Ethics
    Ethiopia
    Europe
    Evaluation
    Evidence
    Evocative
    Evolution
    Existential
    Existentialism
    Expectation
    Expectations
    Experience
    Experiences
    Experiment
    Experimentation
    Expertise
    Exploration
    Explore
    Exposure
    Expression
    Extremism
    Facilitation
    Facilitator
    Faciltitation
    Factors
    Faith
    Family
    Fantasy
    Far Right
    Father
    Fear
    Feedback
    Feeling
    Feminism
    Field Theory
    Fight Fight Freeze
    Fight-fight-freeze
    Fight Flight Freeze
    Figure
    Filter
    Fit
    Flashback
    Focus
    Food Bank
    Forgiveness
    Framework
    Freedom
    Free Speech
    Freud
    Friends
    Fun
    Future
    Gaza
    Gaze
    Gender
    Geopolitical
    Geopolitics
    German
    Germany
    Gestalt
    Gift
    Global
    Goal
    Goals
    God
    Good Friday
    Gospel
    Grace
    Grief
    Grit
    Ground
    Group
    Groups
    Groupwork
    Guidance
    Guilt
    Habit
    Healing
    Health
    Hear
    Heidegger
    Hermeneutics
    Hero
    Hierarchy
    History
    Holistic
    Holy Spirit
    Home
    Homeless
    Homelessness
    Honesty
    Hope
    Hopelessness
    Hubris
    Human
    Human Givens
    Humanitarian
    Humanity
    Human Resources
    Human Rights
    Humility
    Humour
    Hybrid
    Hypotheses
    Hypothesis
    Icon
    Idealising
    Ideas
    Ideation
    Identity
    Ideology
    Image
    Imagination
    Immersion
    Immigration
    Impact
    Impostor
    Improvisation
    Incarnation
    Inclusion
    Independence
    Influence
    Influences
    Influencing
    INGO
    Initiative
    Injustice
    Innovation
    Inquiry
    Insecurity
    Insight
    Inspiration
    Instinct
    Integrity
    Intention
    Intercultural
    Interdependence
    Interference
    International
    Interpretation
    Intersectionality
    Intimacy
    Introjection
    Introversion
    Intuition
    Invisible
    Invitation
    Iran
    Irrationality
    Israel
    Jargon
    Jesus
    Jolt
    Journey
    Joy
    Judgements
    Jungle
    Justice
    Keys
    Kindness
    Knowing
    Knowledge
    Labels
    Language
    Lateral Thinking
    Leader
    Leadership
    Leadership Teams
    Learner
    Learning
    Legacy
    Lent
    Lesson
    Liberal
    Life
    Light
    Linguistic
    Listening
    Logic
    Loss
    Love
    Management
    Manager
    Manipulation
    Marathon
    Marginalisation
    Marketing
    Martin Luther King
    Matrix
    Mbti
    Meaning
    Media
    Mediation
    Meditation
    Meetings
    Memory
    Mental Health
    Mentoring
    Merit
    Metaphor
    Metaphysic
    Metaphysics
    Mindfulness
    Miracle
    Mirror
    Mirroring
    Misfit
    Mission
    Mode
    Montessori
    Morality
    Motivation
    Music
    Mystery
    Narrative
    Nationalism
    Nativity
    Nazis
    Need
    Negotiation
    Neo-Nazi
    Networking
    News
    New Year
    Norm
    Norms
    Noticing
    Online
    Operations
    Opportunity
    Oppression
    Options
    Organisation
    Organisation Develoment
    Organisation Development
    Orientation
    Origin
    Outcome
    Pace
    Pain
    Palestinian
    Panic
    Paradigm
    Paradox
    Parent
    Partnership
    Passion
    Pastoral
    Pastoral Care
    Pattern Matching
    Patterns
    Peace
    People
    Perception
    Perfectionism
    Performance
    Perseverance
    Personal Constructs
    Personal Leadership
    Person Centred
    Perspective
    Persuasion
    Phenomenology
    Phenomenon
    Philippines
    Philosophy
    Physical
    Physicality
    Place
    Plan
    Plane
    Plans
    Plato
    Play
    Plot
    Polarity
    Policy
    Politics
    Poor
    Positive
    Positive Psychology
    Posture
    Potential
    Potential#
    Poverty
    Power
    Powerlessness
    Practice
    Pragmatism
    Praxis
    Prayer
    Preference
    Preferences
    Prepare
    Presence
    Presentation
    Principles
    Priorities
    Priority
    Privilege
    Proactive
    Proactivity
    Problem Solving
    Procedure
    Process
    Prodigal
    Professional
    Profit
    Progressive
    Projection
    Projects
    Prompt
    Propaganda
    Protection
    Protest
    Providence
    Provocative
    Psychoanalysis
    Psychodynamic
    Psychodynamics
    Psychology
    Psychometrics
    Psychotherapy
    Purpose
    Pushback
    Quality
    Quest
    Question
    Questions
    Race
    Radical
    Rainbow
    Rational
    Rationale
    Rationalisation
    Rationality
    Ratlonality
    Realisation
    Reality
    Reason
    Reasoning
    Reconciiliation
    Reconciliation
    Recruitment
    Reflect
    Reflection
    Reflective Practice
    Reflexivity
    Reframing
    Refugee
    Refugees
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Release
    Relief
    Religion
    Representation
    Rescue
    Research
    Resilience
    Resistance
    Resonance
    Resourcefulness
    Respect
    Responsibility
    Responsive
    Responsiveness
    Retreat
    Revelation
    Reward
    Rich
    Rights
    Riot
    Risk
    Role
    Role Model
    Roman Catholic
    Rosabeth Moss-kanter
    Rules
    Russia
    Sabbath
    Sacred
    Safeguarding
    Safety
    Salvation
    Satire
    Satnav
    Saviour
    Scepticism
    Schemata
    School
    Science
    Secure Base
    Security
    See
    Selection
    Selective Attention
    Self
    Self-deception
    Self-sacrifice
    Sense Making
    Sense-making
    Senses
    Sensitivity
    Serendipity
    Servant
    Shadow
    Shock
    Significance
    Silence
    Simplicity
    Sin
    Skills
    Skin Colour
    Snake
    Social Change
    Social Construct
    Social Construction
    Social Constructionism
    Social Constructs
    Social Enterprise
    Social Entrepreneurship
    Social Media
    Social Psychology
    Sociology
    Socrates
    Solution Focused
    Solutions
    Solutions Focus
    Solutions-focus
    Somalia
    Song
    South Sudan
    Space
    Speak
    Speech
    Speed
    Spirit
    Spiritual
    Spirituality
    Stance
    Status
    Stealth
    Stereotype
    Stereotypes
    Stereotyping
    St Francis
    Stimulus
    Storm
    Story
    Strategic
    Strategy
    Strengths
    Stress
    Stretch
    Structure
    Struggle
    Stuck
    Student
    Style
    Subconscious
    Subjectivity
    Success
    Sudan
    Suffering
    Supervision
    Support
    Survival
    Sustainability
    Symbol
    Symbolism
    Symbols
    Synergy
    Systems
    Systems Thinking
    TA
    Tactical
    Tactics
    Talent
    Teacher
    Teaching
    Team
    Team Meeting
    Teams
    Teamwork
    Teamworking
    Technology
    Teenage
    Tension
    Theology
    Theory
    Therapy
    Thinking
    Thought
    Time
    Touch
    Toys
    Traction
    Trade
    Trade Union
    Tradition
    Training
    Transactional Analysis
    Transference
    Transformation
    Transition
    Transitional Object
    Trauma
    Trends
    Trust
    Truth
    Turbulence
    Type
    Ubuntu
    Ukraine
    Uncertainty
    Unexpected
    United Nations
    Use Of Self
    Valentine
    Vallues
    Value
    Valued
    Values
    Vicious Cycle
    Violence
    Virtuous Cycle
    Visibility
    Visible
    Vision
    Vocation
    Voice
    Voting
    VUCA
    Vulnerability
    Vulnerable
    Waiting
    Walls
    War
    Warning
    Wealth
    Weird
    Wellbeing
    Will
    Willingness
    Window
    Wisdom
    Witness
    Women
    Wonder
    Words
    World
    Worth
    Youth
    Zero-sum
    Zoom

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Testimonials
  • Articles
    • Organisations and leadership
    • Learning and development
    • Coaching and counselling
  • Blog
  • e-Resources
  • News
  • Contact