Paul Crick Leadership Development Coach | Consultant | Speaker

Paul is the Founder and Managing Partner of his own leadership development
consultancy, The Elevate Partnership. He specialises in helping leaders to expand their inner character and capacity to enable them through key transitions in work and life to take the road next travelled.

We put Paul to our ’10 question test’… His answers are both entertaining and enlightening!

Q1.  Did you always want to become a consultant or did you fall into the role?

From about 20 years old I always wanted to be a management consultant. 14 years ago, I knew I wanted to add coaching to that skillset and, after a 20 year career, now I combine the two.

Q2.  What makes a good consultant?

Three things: (1) be a good listener, (2) be a good listener and (3) deliver results

Q3.  Do you feel you manage yourself well or is it a case of ‘the cobbler’s shoes’?

I like to think I manage myself pretty well most of the time. What gets in the diary gets done.

Q4.  Are there enough hours in your day?

Yes, I set myself up to win each day. Some days are longer than others but I always allow time to replenish. Overstretching doesn’t work over the long term and it’s where burnout comes from.

Q5.  If you could magically stop your clients from making one mistake – what would that be?

Talking from a place of fear and scarcity, it blocks building great relationships. Great clients get the greatest service. That’s why we choose who we work with carefully. If it’s not a two-way ‘heck yes’ then we pass and refer on. It saves acrimony down the line.

Q6.  What do you find is the best way to market yourself?

Conversations that connect. Connecting first and getting to know my clients is always the best way to build trust and great working relationships. Good business almost always flows from this.

Q7.  What do you do to unwind?

I train in Aikido four nights a week and that really helps me get out of my head. Quality time with my wife is the best way to unwind for me. She is so smart and intelligent I love our conversations.

Q8.  What advice would you give a starting consultant?

Get known for one thing you do really, really well. Be the ‘go to’ person for that thing and make sure it’s something you love

Q9.  What’s your guilty pleasure?

Two guilty pleasures come to mind. The first is ABBA music. ABBA Arrival was the first record I bought and it’s a pop masterpiece IMHO. The second is watching Cobra Kai – the sequel to the Karate Kid movies – on Netflix. Season 4 has been announced and is in production.

Q10.  What’s your goal for next year?

To continue to find great clients to work with and do great work together. Through COVID I’ve changed from ‘chasing achievement’ to ‘allowing achievement’. The energy is different and it’s my preferred way of being.

More information about Paul…

He also serves on the board of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council,
UK as their Professional Development Director and is Chair of the Board of
Trustees for The Adagio College of Performing Arts.
A connector of dots, Paul brings a new perspective to the leadership conversation through his study of neuroscience and Aikido. He has a gift for deep listening and upbeat facilitation, and has an ability to draw out the things that need to
be said. Clients feel reassured in his presence and safe in speaking their truth.
Paul has been a management consultant, coach, educator, facilitator and trainer
for over 20 years working around the world with Fortune 500 and Times 250
corporations, public sector institutions and voluntary organisations for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, CapGemini and IBM.
Paul previously co-led IBM’s Global Coaching Community of Practice and helped
grow this to 4,000 coaches across 80 countries. In addition he served as an Executive Coach in IBM’s Professional Coaching Service. He has taught and
coached leaders individually and in groups, across 22 countries up to and including C-Level Executives.
Paul holds an MBA from Henley Business School, a BSc in Management Sciences
from University of Manchester and is a seasoned, accredited coach with certifications spanning leadership development, psychology and psychotherapy.
Paul lives happily in the middle of nowhere in the UK nestled in nature with his
wife, Tina, indulging his passion for Aikido and writing music.
CONTACT DETAILS
T: +44 (0)7584 947879
E: info@theelevatepartnership.com