Informs and guides corporates, boards and executives aiming for next level or boardroom | With a range of clients nationally and internationally, we work 1:1 or together; in person or virtually. We are based in Melbourne, Australia.

Informs and Guides Organisations, Directors, Executives

Our client relationships are collaborative. Based on trust, this mutual connection fosters a joint commitment to both agreed outcomes and the value of the ongoing alliance.

Dianne Jacobs works face-to-face or virtual; one-on-one and in small groups; with individuals or organisations.

 

Aspiring Directors

Next-Level Executives

  • New roles, crossroads or promotions

  • Executive coach-mentor

  • Guiding board presentations

  • Navigating complexities

  • Performance and impact

  • Coaching for each stage of the career journey

 
 

Boards

  • Facilitation for new and transitioning boards

  • Nominations support

  • Board styles instrument

  • New director support

  • CEO-Board relationship

Organisations

  • Panel coach-mentor, program mentor

  • Leader reviews and feedback

  • Preparing executives for board roles

  • Board presentation coaching

 

Problems Solved

Problem: Successful transitions at critical points of the leadership journey are one of the anxieties for executives at an organisational and personal level. Change, is the other. As transformation ripples within a business, the pressure is for new approaches to context, doing and thinking. The executive challenge is to rethink managerial leadership.

Client result: “I very much agree about the importance of a leader having a coach like you supporting role transition and also working in difficult contexts like you did for me.” (Senior Executive, Leading Business School)

Client result: “Thanks for today, it was an awesome session that got them thinking. The team are chatting to each other super excited! Lots of positive feedback.” (Global C-Suite Executive and Sponsor of a Women’s Leadership Development Program, ASX-Listed Company)

Solution / Corporate Leadership Coaching /

 

Problem: It is disappointing, after a long search and being one of the candidates on a strong director short-list, not to be selected. Nomination processes can be fraught. It takes real skill to guide those from the nomination committee during the interview and selection process. This includes countering any biases or pre-existing preferences and shifting the mind-set to transferable skills or potential.

Client result: “I am delighted to let you know that I have been offered a position on the board. They told me they were impressed with my written application when I arrived for my interview. Thanks so much for helping me with the written application and the interview tips!” (Non-Executive Director, Consultant and Executive Manager)

Solution / Board Interview Coaching /

 

Problem: Every potential non-executive director comes with some gaps. Every board is different. There is no such thing as the universal, perfect candidate.

Client result: “Just letting you know this is great. I ran it past a friend of mine who recruits for Russell Reynolds and he thought it was perfect.” (CFO, ASX corporate)

Client result: “Thought I would pass on a little bit of positive feedback I received on my board CV. The board that I am about to join is conducting an evaluation of its board and I have been included as the evaluation team want to understand where the new board members will fit in. I was complemented on my excellent ‘capabilities based’ CV. Thought you should share the congratulations. Thanks again.” (Non-Executive Director)

Solution / Stronger Board Applications /


Problem: Board resume and application writing is an intensive process that requires clarity of thought, interpretation of experience, the linking of capabilities to the requirements of the role and the ability to write in a concise manner. It is not easy.

Client result: “No way in the world, I would have written a CV this way which is the reason why you do what you do. Old adage ‘one does not know what they don’t know’” (President and Group COO, Executive Director, Joint-Venture Chair and NED) 

 Solution / Board CV Support /


Problem:
Astute individuals understand that career success takes more than just working harder. Advancing is often as much as playing by the unwritten rules – as it is about talent and results. Successful executives do take charge with adaptive responsesthey continually design their career strategies; share knowledge, connect and collaborate with their diverse networks; work on what truly matters; examine their choices for balance.

Client result: “Working with Dianne fundamentally changed the way I think about and now manage my career. Her thoughtful insights helped me better understand and acknowledge my strengths, and become more purposeful about defining my career objectives and building networks and pathways to help me get there. Dianne is a great communicator. Her sense of calm combined with her steely resolve provided space for clarity, honesty and action.” (Asia-Pacific Chief Credit Officer, Ratings Agency)

Client result: “When I was told you had agreed to be the program mentor I was thrilled. I have been very fortunate in my time with the organisation. The advice and tools you helped me to develop in my role several years ago have helped me build my credibility with the Board and the organisation’s investors.” (CFO, ASX-Listed Corporate)

Solution /  Executive Coaching  /


Problem: Boards transitioning due to a new Chair or new board members or a new direction need to think how they now need to operate, what to let go and what needs to change for the board to achieve its objectives.

Client result: “That was a great session (board transition facilitation). Thank you for the thought you put into it. You pitched it just right and deftly facilitated. I was impressed with how the group (board) responded.” (Executive Officer, Professional Institute, Board transition session)

Solution /  Board Advice and Facilitation  /

Problem: In the context of the organisational strategy and governance, a leader review provides a clearer roadmap on what is needed to deliver effective performance and adaptive leadership. if Neutrality and strategic insight is lacking, it is difficult to move from a ‘tick-the-box’ exercise to one that helps build the capacity for good leadership, strong engagement and strategic value.

Client result: “…very, very positive about the process and the insight got from it … the whole team felt comfortable that the task was in good hands … look forward to staying in touch.” (Partner, Private Equity)

Solution / Leader Review /