A PERSPECTIVE ON LEADERSHIP
Human virtue – courage and kindness, wisdom and judgement, humility and gratitude – was once the sign of our readiness to lead. Then, our fascination with behaviour pushed virtue aside.
The leaders we respect are known for ‘who they are,’ and ‘what they do.’ In fact, we follow the good in their character more than the perfection in their plan.
Intelligent technology is raising the game for human leadership. We meet the genius of AI with human sensitivity, moral authority, and corporate responsibility. Human leadership must harness both.
More than that, the human virtues by which we lead, create the co-operative relationships by which human intelligence grows.
We have to be human if we want to be smart.
That organisations form at all – that people collaborate to create their piece of progress – is testimony to the imagination, intellect, and perseverance of our human nature. The good of humanity is both the goal and the guide, and virtue-led, human leadership is how we uphold it.
As intelligent technology grabs our attention, we must equally cherish the kindness, courage and co-operation that make our organisations work, and shape the society we want.
ONLY HUMAN
The genius of AI is raising the importance of our own human intelligence. AI is challenging the human race to raise our game, to work together, and build an augmented human future in which we thrive.
Only Human is my contribution to it.
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I help leaders and teams refine the way they lead.
If AI thinks it’s ‘survival of the fittest’, we all lose. If we want ‘survival of the humane’, let’s show each other – and AI – what that means.
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When leadership teams want to use their collective Human Intelligence, I design, host and facilitate purposeful conversations that help leaders slow down, step back, get together and talk.
When leadership specialists want to build their organisation’s leadership advantage, I work collaboratively to design and deliver working sessions, programs and conferences that do just that.
To develop human-centred leadership, I offer Honoured to Lead for senior leaders and The Return to Ourselves for the future leaders in your leadership pipeline.
To address critical issues, innovation, or cross functional improvement, I offer Human Inquiry because it is flexible, practical, engaging and productive.
Take a look at my Services, and do get in touch if they resonate with you and the goals you want to achieve.
tim coburn
career
My leadership career started at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. I served as an Army Officer in infantry and paratroop regiments, including an attachment with the US 82nd Airborne Division.
After university, I was Director of Leadership and Learning at Fitness for Industry where I achieved a National Training Award for our pioneering work in developing Health and Fitness Centre Instructors and Managers.
As an OD Executive at the BBC, I worked with executive teams responsible for BBC Scotland, BBC N Ireland, BBC Wales and BBC Regions (North, Midlands and South), before leading an all-employee engagement and culture change programme that embraced the arrival of digital broadcasting.
At Motorola, I was a scenario planning/strategy development specialist with global leadership teams in semi-conductor technology, mobile infrastructure and devices, and global customer account management. Later, I worked in a small team to set up Motorola’s first talent management centre of expertise.
On joining Rolls-Royce, I worked with over 50 executive teams to deploy a new generation of process excellence, later becoming the company’s first Global Head of Talent and their Global Head of L&D.
On interim assignment, I was Head of Leadership at Kenya Airways in Nairobi, Head of Talent at Syngenta in Swizerland, and Director of Leadership at Serco in the UK.
Among many projects as an independent leadership consultant, I worked with the Chief Executive and Executive Teams at General Motors (Financial) to assist their leadership of this great, American company.
I’m grateful for all these formative experiences and the opportunity offered for me to add value to their work.
EDUCATION
I graduated from Loughborough University with BSc (Hons) in Sports Science, and MSc in Management Studies. I later attended Teachers’ College, Columbia University, NYC, where I completed their highly respected Advanced Program in OD&HRM.
I went on to complete a post graduate diploma in Systemic Consulting. This began a career-long interest in language, conversation and narrative/storytelling practices, alongside a strong foundation in Milan School Systemic Practices.
As my career progressed, I was a Visiting Fellow at Nottingham University Business School, and both a Visiting and Research Fellow at the University of Bristol’s internationally acclaimed Faculty of Education.
As Critical Thinking became one of the World Economic Forum’s future skills, I was invited by the CIPD to be their Critical Thinking Lead Consultant.
Though psychological assessment has not been central to my work, I hold qualifications in a number of assessment instruments.
INTERESTS
ADVENTURE
I live near The Lake District National Park, an International World Heritage Site in the North of England.
It’s a beautifully inspiring place for my interests in trail running, road cycling, open water swimming and climbing.
Further afield, I ski, snowboard, hike and climb in the Alps.
POETRY
As an extension to self-reflective journalling, I started writing poetry some twenty years ago.
It was slow and insignificant, but I gradually realised how much of a difference it was making to my everyday language.
I read at open mic and literary events and occasionally write in response to commissioned requests.
SERVICE
Community involvement has been a regular feature of my life.
I served as a School Governor for ten years, and a Young Enterprise/Junior Achievement Business Volunteer.
During two years in Nairobi, Kenya, I was a volunteer teacher in Kibera, widely known as the worst slum in Africa.
I’m currently a volunteer at the North Lakes Foodbank in my home town.
FIND ME HERE
To discuss services and to work together,
please get in touch.