My view changed from ‘Never-ending To-Do List’ to Strategic Confidence

“Mel's straightforward and direct approach was recommended by my manager who’d also worked with Mel. Our changing organisation was solidifying approaches and processes and I needed help with evaluating and monitoring the basic requirements of my role in order to provide a solid foundation for success. I also needed someone with experience in communicating in a way that would suit my neurodiverse brain.

Mel is refreshingly straightforward, non-complicated and honest. She has been patient and helpful in grounding me and helping me recognise that there are straightforward solutions or approaches to the problems that I should focus on. I’ve particularly valued her guidance on leading a team and other colleagues in how we approach strategy, execution and evaluation.

Since I started work with Mel, I have developed a far more straightforward, practical approach to starting, monitoring and evaluating my work, and that of my team. I have a better sense of how to balance various projects involving different requirements, metrics and personalities. I’ve developed a more strategic way of explaining and directing my work to management, colleagues and my team and a more positive way of thinking about it, seeing it not just as a never ending to-get-done list, but an opportunity to prioritise, strategise and exceed expected results.

If you’re looking for someone who will be patient, kind and understanding, who can listen to intricate, complicated and often confusing situations and help you simplify and understand them, (particularly, if you are neurodiverse and have your own way of explaining and understanding situations) I would definitely recommend Mel. She has a solid, strategic approach, she listens well and is a leader. I enjoy working with her and hope to do more in the future.”

- Darragh Doyle, Head of Communications, Marketing & Audience Development, Dublin City Council Culture Company

“Mel delivered an event at the AMA conference which I found inspiring but I was also taken by her energy and enthusiasm for supporting women in business in particular. I was struggling with making some big career decisions, imposter syndrome and what the future of my business was. During the private coaching Mel asked me some really useful questions about what I wanted out of both my life and career. I was able to make some core decisions about the future of my career and my business and also to consider what I wanted more broadly out of life that fed into those decisions. Yes, I would recommend Mel, she provides a space for exploration and creativity alongside practical support and ideas for growing your business.”
Selina Ocean, Arts Marketing Consultant

“When I went to you for coaching I was feeling very disheartened and at the point of giving up. You told me not to give up, to believe in what I was doing and keep going. I just want to say thank you so much for those words. I feel so proud that Safe Space Consultancy is now doing what I had set it up to do! Safe Space is now out in the community educating, preventing, protecting and empowering!”
Julie Johns, Safe Space Consultancy

“Mel’s executive coaching as part of the AMA’s Audience Diversity programme supported me in fulfilling my vision of embedding EDI practices into our Service. This will undoubtedly open doors for and impact many young lives over time.”
James Thomas, Head of Hackney Music Service

“As the Director of a small but ambitious national organisation, I found myself feeling challenged around tackling overwhelm and prioritisation in relation to a clear set of goals - this became more acute during lockdown, as we tried our best to respond to emerging needs. I was also very conscious of needing to embed our ambitions to support a more inclusive and representative sector deep into the organisation.

Working with Mel helped me to cut through a lot of confusion; her approach and processes helped bring objectivity, realism and clarity to the business of running an organisation. I also needed help to find a way to develop a happier relationship between the personal and professional to reduce the pressure on both sides!

Practical results included creating a clear and simple guiding objective that sits comfortably with being an inclusive, supportive, caring and organisation that’s proactive about positive social change. I have used this to govern a number of processes and documents since, and it’s made it far easier to make choices for the organisation - for both me and our Board. On a personal level, I have become more comfortable leading an organisation by better articulating what leadership means for us in this context - building common ground and collective power.

Yes I would absolutely recommend Mel: this was a great balance between concentrated work that I know has left our organisation in a better place, personal development, and some really stimulating and fun conversation!”
Victoria Hume, Director of The Culture, Health & Well-Being Alliance

“Mel Larsen is my go-to business buddy for fast marketing advice.
Her strong track record in building authentic relationships with potential and existing clients means she is able to quickly come up with innovative and relevant ideas that are spot-on. If you’re an ambitious SME wanting to grow, talk to Mel!”
Ishreen Bradley - CEO, Belonging Pioneers

“My reason for wanting to work with Mel is that she has an incredible presence and confidence in leadership, which I admire. Her approach is genuine, authentic and real which are qualities I truly respect and resonate with.

I gained confidence, grasping hold of a plan and really understanding what the future looks like. In the process of working with Mel, I have received a large grant for my work. Also gaining skills in presenting was a key moment. I had a large presentation to make and Mel's tutoring and support was a game-changer. I certainly would recommend Mel to others as she brings all her experience to support you change old patterns and create new pathways.”

Paula Orrell, Curator, Consultant and Leads the Visual Arts South West Network

“When I became a CEO, over a decade ago, I would look at charismatic leaders and feel inadequate. I was an introverted young woman with a lot of creative ideas and a lack of confidence in my ability to get them across to others. I’d walk into a room with potential sponsors or partners and couldn’t understand why they would take me seriously. I knew my stuff, don’t get me wrong, I’d worked hard and was confident in my plans about how to transform the organisation, but how to convince others that that was the case?!

This is when I appointed the amazing Mel Larsen as a coach. My time with her was so valuable. She made me realise that I didn’t need to adopt a stereotypical, autocratic leadership style, I could be powerful in my own way. I continue to hear her voice in my head as I challenge myself to achieve on my own terms.”

Julie Aldridge, Consultant at Julie Aldridge Consulting Ltd former CEO of the Arts Marketing Association, quoted in ‘My Gurus’ article in Arts Professional magazine

“My role requires a lot of public speaking. Along with having to be the spokesperson for the organisation, I've had to steward it through rough terrain recently so when I had a big speech to give, I wanted to convey good news with total confidence. Mel gave me insights that helped me overcome barriers of nervousness and doubt. She reassured me of my abilities and grounded my worries in reality to stop them from holding me back. Looking back, working with Mel has made me realise that I have everything I need to be an engaging public speaker, and that skill will be important in transforming how the organisation is perceived.”

Director, Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation