The Cotswolds Fifteen was established in March 2009 and we currently have eight members from a variety of industry in both the private and public sectors. We meet eleven times a year, usually at The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury, which offers us good service, comfort and privacy by a warm and welcoming staff.

As the group leader my job is very much to facilitate conversations and implement group coaching techniques. The focus is often not only on the technical or organisational issues raised, and on the ways of dealing with it, but also on the personal dynamic and emotional undercurrents at the root of such issues. As a psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural practitioner, my skills are invaluable when faced with all of the different personalities that can appear.

The group meets and learns with and from each other by working on real problems and reflecting on their own experiences. It can be challenging, provocative and fun. It is easy in business just to let things happen, and respond to the demands of our lives without much thought of our own part in it. In times of crisis or radical change reflection becomes more important and also more difficult: it is at these times that we help each other make the powerful decisions about our future.

We have a number of dynamic, gifted and experienced business speakers who visit the group, some on a regular basis, which is important as they build relationships with the members both inside and outside of the meetings. The value of the small group means that everyone gets the one to one time with the speaker. We are a very active group and the level and experience of the speaker is often determined by members according to their business and personal needs.

All members in the group receive a regular two-hour 1:1 coaching session every month (except August) from me. The art of the coach is to firstly build a strong and trusting relationship with the individual, which takes time, and as such we will explore issues together whether they be person-focused; insight-focused; problem-focused or solution-focused.

We also ‘play together’. Our most recent activity was Clay Pigeon Shooting, a day spent at a local Shooting Lodge where the surprise winner was our lady novice shooter. We currently have a sailing day planned and we often meet up just to have a ‘pint’ and a chat.

It is an absolute privilege to be part of the Footdown Cotswolds Fifteen.

Josie Payne, Cotswolds Fifteen Leader

General Information

The Cotswolds Fifteen is led by Josie Payne.

Venue

The Cotswolds Fifteen meet at Bowood Hotel.

Speakers

Over the last year the Costwolds Fifteen have heard from  Nigel Risner, Martin Russell, Mark Perl, Roger Martin-Fagg and Margaret Heffernan.