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Tried-and-tested resources for directors, facilitators and managers

Over the years as a facilitator and coach, I’ve developed and acquired many tools for initiating self-reflection, guiding strategic planning, and shaping impactful decisions at work.

From board recruitment checklists to leadership reflection tools and discussion prompts – here is a curation of the resources I’ve found to be most helpful. (These are the exact frameworks I use with my coaching and facilitation clients, as well as boards.)

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I'm standing in front of a large, white notepad on a standing writing the 'ground rules' for a workshop. You can see the back of my curly head and arm. I'm wearing a black dress with little white flowers.

Take on Board tools

For directors and aspiring board members

Helga Svendsen - Four keys to a strong board

FOUR KEYS TO A STRONG BOARD

WORKSHEET

Strong boards conduct yearly reviews – done internally or by an external facilitator. This worksheet looks at the four important areas to review: skills, commitment, alignment and diversity.

Helga Svendsen - How to recruit a board member

HOW TO RECRUIT A BOARD MEMBER

CHECKLIST

This two-page checklist breaks down the board recruitment process into these three not-to-be-missed categories. For more, listen to episode 211 of the Take on Board podcast.

Helga Svendsen Becoming an FAICD

BECOMING AN FAICD

GUIDE

Read my Fellow of the Australian Institure of Company Directors (AICD) application and supporting documents. For more, listen to episode 170 of the Take on Board podcast.

Facilitation tools

For team leaders, facilitators and strategy shapers

Helga Svendsen - SOAR worksheet

SOAR

WORKSHEET

I use this worksheet to set the context at the start of a workshop, focusing on strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results. For more, read the Ideas to Action blog post.

Helga Svendsen - SOAR worksheet

SOAR

PROMPTS

For some of my workshops, I expand on the SOAR framework to include a number of prompt questions relating to each of the four areas. For more, read the Ideas to Action blog post.

Helga Svendsen - PESTLE prompts

PESTLE

PROMPTS

PESTLE is ideal for teams that want to look at the bigger picture – political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, legal and environmental. For more, read the Ideas to Action blog post.

Coaching tools

For people in leadership navigating transition or setting direction

Helga Svendsen RSVP Worksheet

RSVP

WORKSHEET

Every year I RSVP – review, superpowers, value, purpose. It’s an invitation to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the new year. Listen to my 2023 reflections and 2024 goals

Helga Svendsen - Skills quadrant worksheet

SKILLS MATRIX

WORKSHEET

I use a skills matrix – my ‘skills quadrant worksheet’ – to help clients explore their ‘what next?’. For more, read the Ideas to Action blog post.