Meet Corrine – JGA's change expert and coaching pro
Have we ever lived through a time of such change? 2023 has brought unprecedented challenge for leaders in all business sectors – and there’s no sign of this abating yet.
Fortunately, it’s in this unsettling environment that Corrine Thomas is at her best.
As JGA’s change expert and Coaching Lead, she uses her understanding of the impact of change on individuals, teams and organisations to support all three to manage it well.
So what does she enjoy most about her work at JGA?
Three things: that it’s ‘fun, fulfilling and full of variety’, she says – explaining that her responsibilities include the development and delivery of our management and leadership development services and refreshed coaching offer, Coaching through Change.
Preparing leaders to navigate change
‘A real highlight is the opportunity I have to meet new people and support them to build their confidence and resilience as they go through big changes within their organisations,’ she says.
‘I really like seeing the passion and dedication that JGA’s clients have for their businesses and the people within them.
‘Becoming employee-owned – and unlocking the potential of this way of doing business in the years that follow – is a major change project in itself. Many are going through big transitions in the way they are structured and led.’
Putting people at the heart of what you do
Corrine is herself no stranger to the pressures change brings, having previously spent 30 years as a leader and business analyst working on large scale organisational transformations. She is acutely conscious that, while exciting, having new responsibilities to understand and opportunities to take can also be ‘very unsettling’.
Corrine (centre) enjoys time with ‘Team JGA’
‘Currently, the external environment is very challenging, which makes it even harder for businesses to keep going and grow,’ she adds.
The long-term value of preparing leaders to lead themselves and their people through change is why she believes professional coaching remains a wise investment, even when budgets are tight.
‘I enjoy supporting our clients as they grapple with these challenges because they are committed to their people, transparent with their staff and open in their communication. People are supported to develop themselves and reach their potential, even when faced with challenging business environments.
‘The businesses we work with put their people at the heart of what they do even in difficult economic times, and this has brought them success.’
Unlocking potential through education
Corrine loved meeting pupils in Nepal
Like all our Associates, Corrine’s work can take her all over the country, but a role she holds beyond JGA has recently taken her (a lot) further – to the Solukhumbu / Everest region of Nepal for the charity Classrooms in the Clouds.
As she explains: ‘CitC’s mission is to create improved educational outcomes for children in Nepal, so we work with our Nepalese partners to support education in that region. This involves building high quality earthquake-resistant classrooms, sponsoring teachers, supporting teacher training and encouraging the employment of female teachers.’
Her recent trip saw her visit many of the schools the charity supports, where she was touched by the warm welcome.
‘I met with the teacher we sponsor, saw where she worked, and met some of her pupils. I also ran some sessions to support the Educational support team in developing their leadership skills.
‘Both the pupils and staff were delighted to show our UK team what they were learning. All of them, from as young as four, learn English and they were excited to hear us speak, wanted to practice with us and taught us some Nepalese too.
‘The facilities are very basic, yet it was inspiring to see what they’re achieving. There was so much colourful schoolwork in every classroom.’
Getting through the working day
One of Corrine’s walks takes in this village pond
As workplaces go, Nepal is obviously (very!) different from Corrine’s ‘normal’ office at her home in Hampshire. So what gets her through her usual working day?
1. Getting out for a walk in the fields and woodland around where I live.
2. Listening to Scala radio. I particularly like Mark Forrest who chats about life as a sheep farmer in the Yorkshire Dales – it makes me feel like I’m out in the countryside. I love listening to the modern classical music from film scores and video games too.
3. Some relaxing yoga. I’ve been doing this for about eight years, starting with Hatha yoga while working in Guernsey. Now I regularly have Ivengar yoga lessons with a teacher and like to practice at home in my garden… when the weather’s good enough!
4. Finding things that make me smile. Right now that includes seeing my grandson emptying the kitchen cupboards in my daughter’s house – it’s just what she used to do at home when she was his age…
5. The privilege of supporting people to believe in themselves and realise their potential.
Want to know how JGA can support you through change with our transition, people and governance services?