Introducing Ourselves ~ Nga Mihi

Scott Nicol

Tena koe.  Ko Puketapapa te maunga. Ko Oakley te awa.  Ko Waitemata te moana.  Ko Nicol raua ko Wikitoria nga iwi.  No Tamaki Makaurau ahau, i naianei e noho ana ahau i Whakatu i te Waipounamu.  Ko to kaiwhakangawari kaupapa ahau. No reira, nga mihi mahana.

Greetings ~  I was born in Auckland under Mt Roskill by the Oakely Creek that flows into the Waitemata harbour.  My families are the Nicol clan and the clan of Queen Victoria.  I now live in Nelson in the South Island where I am based for my work as facilitator and coach for Growing Dialogue

Professional Approach

I thrive when I am able to assist my clients to resolve complex issues, overcome barriers and achieve meaningful growth.  Key elements in my toolbox are coaching, facilitation, fostering true dialogue and innovative solutions.  My approach is open minded through deep listening, working to strengths and building on what works for the clients.

As a coach I have a strong focus on growing you through Adult Development Methodology which I am studying with the international Growth Edge Coaching.  As a facilitator, I am proud that I achieved an international benchmark and in March 2013 passed my assessment with the International Association of Facilitators to be a Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF).  The assessment process involved assessors from Australia, Singapore and Malaysia and winnowed the 11 starters down to just the 4 that finally passed.  Currently there are only 5 CPF’s in New Zealand.

I am strong and my skills shine when I am working with a group of people helping them solve a complex problem and coach them to take successful action.  This makes me a strong team coach - an approach involving initially working with the leader and developing a plan that will be a mix of group facilitation, team building and leader coaching.

Qualifications

  • IAF Certified Professional Facilitator
  • Growing Edge Coaching Certification
  • Dru Yoga teacher certification
  • Team Management Services, Team Management Index and their range of 360 degree assessment tools
  • Professional Leadership & Co-Facilitation Training Cultivating Leadership Group
  • Practitioner Foundation with Cognitive Edge –Cynefin Framework for Sense-making
  • International Art of Hosting: open source techniques such as World Café, Proactive Café, Open Space Technology and Circle Work
  • Systems Thinking with Bob Cavanna, Victoria University
  • Coaching for Outstanding Results with Zenergy NZ
  • Coaching the self for complexity, Growth Edge Coaching

Maria Deutsch

Tēnā koe, ka nui te mihi o te rā

Ko Donnersberg te maunga, ko Rhein te awa, ko Bodensee te roto, ko Pfalz te Iwi, ko Maria ahau.  I whānau au i Tiamana, engari 33 nga tau e noho ana ahau i Aotearoa, i te Tau Ihu o te Waka a Maui.

I was born in South West Germany, among people who cherish community, value diversity and care deeply for the land and have carried these values across the globe, finally settling in Aotearoa in 1988.

Throughout my life I have been drawn to healing and deepening the powerful relationships between people and their Nature, and sharing the deep mystery and magic that goes with it. 

This includes working with youth in the outdoors, using nature creativity as a healing tool, working with multicultural communities on sustainable land use, and teaching professionals how to integrate Nature as a powerful leadership tool. 

This dual focus of People and Nature is reflected in my training journey.  An MSc in Landscape Ecology complements international Qualifications in Facilitation and Advanced Coaching; Diplomas in Business Management, Tertiary Teaching and Permaculture support cross cultural Action Research and Conservation Psychology.    

I have worked with and learned from indigenous cultures, including my own, cherishing their deep knowledge of our interconnections with our planet.  I have trained with Shaman, Mystic, Metaphysic and Tao practitioners and am a Dru Yoga Teacher. 

My journey is ever expanding as is my understanding of the interconnections of humans, nature and our cosmos.  I receive some of my most insightful teachings directly from the mystery that is ‘Our Nature’ and honour the privilege of being able to share these with others.

My current work includes Teaching Deep Nature Work, 1:1 Nature Coaching and Organisational Nature Facilitation. I also support landscape scale restoration of ecosystems and cross cultural communities.

Feedback from a Deep Nature workshop participant:

 

“… Maria’s facilitation within the nature workshop creates an inclusive, inspiring and enriching experience. The co-creative, intuitive approach, knowledge and loving connection with Nature opens a space which gently invites people to discover themselves in ways they had not previously perceived. Beautifully guided, my experience in these workshops has been a remembering of the miracles, insights and moments of joy we can receive when we open to nature as our healing teacher…”

 

What we offer

It is our joy to work with you to find solutions to what is facing you.  

We offer coaching to support your understanding of your situation, what tools you have available, to access a wider world view that allows you grow and develop.  We are known for effective facilitation of small to large groups - half day events through to conferences and ongoing projects.   We tailor make a mix of team coaching, organisational development, Deep Nature work and leadership support as a powerful combination to grow towards your purpose and vision.

Our facilitation taps into the wisdom of the group, takes into account a systems overview and works the magic of people creating their own solutions suited to their very own circumstances.  We are passionate about supporting you and your people to grow into your potential.  

We have been coaching and facilitating across the spectrum of small business, NGO, government and right up to large UN projects.  We work together where we can play to our diverse strengths to deliver what you need.  Many times we are working independently and support each other behind the scenes.  We work co-creatively with a network of great people we have tested out over the years and who match our values and work well with us.

We give back to the future as guardians of a beautiful patch of forest which we have covenanted to legally protect and where we spend our free time to foster a healthy ecosystem and safe place to connect with nature.  For more about our forest check out Te Kaainga Tawhai

Vision and Principles guiding our Work

  • To provide a professional service of high quality that contributes to the wellbeing of organisations, communities and the environment
  • To draw on innovation, creativity and group wisdom to provide solutions
  • To contribute to people's ability to make positive choices in their lives and organisations
  • To increase understanding and cooperation amongst people and different communities 
  • To enable people to connect to nature as a means to access their own creativity and innate ability to succeed in a fast changing world
  • To model sustainable business practises  and to work to the principles of open honest communication, fairness, compassion and a deep respect for the potential in each one of us.
  • To treasure diversity and respect Te Ao Maori
  • To listen deeply in order to learn, grow dialogue and contribute worthwhile work

We look forward to the chance to meet you and start a great conversation about what you need. 

Professional Affiliations and Endorsements:

IAF – International Association of Facilitators and AFN – Australasian Facilitators Network

Growth Edge Coaching

GEN – Growth Edge Network International

Cultivating Leadership

NZIM - NZ Institute of Management,  Southern Division 

ACUMEN

Zenergy NZ

QEII National Trust

EBR Institute