Benchmark Consulting, the Philippines’ pioneer in integrated coaching, training, and consulting solutions, celebrated its 20th anniversary with a milestone virtual conference on leadership and coaching last August 25. Dubbed “Transitioning to the New World of Leadership and Coaching”, the conference is the first to bring together over 600 participants tuning in from different countries with four world-class speakers and global gurus: Kim Pong Lim, CEO of Strengths Asia, Global Partner of SoundWave Global and one of the First 20 Certified Strengths Coaches in the World, Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE, Chief Energy Officer of The Resiliency Group, one of Global Gurus’ Top Communications Professionals for 2022, and bestselling author, Dr. Marcia Reynolds, PsyD, MCC, ICF Master Certified Coach, ICF Global Past President, one of Global Gurus’ Top Coaching Professionals for 2022, and bestselling author, and Dewitt Jones, one of America's Top Professional Photographers and a National Geographic Photojournalist for 20 Years.
In “Own Your Conversation”, Kim Pong Lim highlighted the components of Tendency, Sensitivity and Skill in communicating. He reminded the audience that the most important part of a conversation isn’t the topic but how we respond. At the end of the day, leaders no longer need to know it all-- what’s important is wanting to understand and find out more, and it is key to use the right verbal strategy for the right situation to communicate more effectively.
Eileen McDargh started “Inside Out Leadership for Resilient Teams” by reaffirming that leadership is all about communication. She discussed ways to defuse a negative situation by being assertive instead of aggressive, using a clear technique for giving feedback. Eileen also talked about converting communication into an art form by developing rapport, lightening up, taking responsibility for your communication and being kind. Kindness, she says, is the hallmark of a great communicator.
In “Coaching People to see Possibilities Beyond the Fog of Fear”, Dr. Marcia Reynolds urged participants to coach the person, not the problem by helping them see their own stories and beyond. Being a coach means giving up being the expert and the fixer, in order to be their thinking partners. After all, people are creative, resourceful and whole on their own—they just need their coaches to be present in the moment, not to be perfect.
Dewitt Jones, in “Extraordinary Visions”, taught the audience to define your vision—because your vision controls our perception, and our perception becomes your reality. He urged people, in the midst of so many things that may worry or frighten us about life, to instead celebrate what’s right with the world. There is always more than one right answer out there to deal with any challenge or problem, all we need to do is be open to see different perspectives, keep our eyes open, and keep looking for opportunities to make the ordinary extraordinary.
Seasoned leaders from different global companies also generously shared their insights after each of the segments, namely: Arlene Bantoto, Head of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at Wyeth Philippines, Ramon Medina, Head of Consumer Electronics of Samsung and Maria Lourdes Cruz, Global People Director for Global Operations Project Services of Arcadis. The virtual conference was hosted by Paui del Rosario, PCC and Adam Bautista, ACC of Benchmark Consulting, and closing remarks were given by Founder and CEO Julius Ordoñez, MCC who reminded the audience of the bigger mission that “we at Benchmark Consulting have yet to fulfill as we continue our transformation work in the years to come: to elevate our self-awareness, strengthen our core foundation, reframe our thinking, keep improving ourselves, and deepen our connection with people to continue to evolve into the kind of leaders and coaches that the world needs today.”
Participants were delighted with the conference, describing it as “extraordinary”, “soul-stirring”, “moving”, “touching”, “insightful”. Some immediately taking to social media to share how the different talks moved and inspired them and helped them think differently about the world. “It was a wonderful, impactful and thought-provoking morning.”, summarized Coach Patricia Lacdao.
With its tagline “Setting New Heights With You”, Benchmark Consulting is certainly poised for another 20 years and more of developing top-caliber talent. Learn more about the company and the different coaching, training and consulting solutions it offers at www.benchmark-consulting.com.ph.
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