Bringing the practices of mindfulness and dialogue to leadership conversations

About Originate

Why Originate?

The inspiration was the phrase ‘to bring into being’:

Ori’gin|ate
v.t. give origin to, bring into being, initiate, cause to begin.
v.i. to have origin, to begin.
[ L. origo, beginning, birth – oriri, to rise.]

Originate is…

Amanda Ridings

I am a seasoned executive coach and coach supervisor, and am committed to creating breathing spaces in working lives. My work is shaped by a profound interest in embodying dialogue practices to support conversations that are rich, thought-provoking and productive.

I first posted this simple webpage in early 2020, to replace a full-blown website through which I published articles and advertised programmes. I was heading into retreat and was creating space for a fresh approach to work on my return in March. Little did I know…

As Autumn begins, and full lockdown and the summer holidays begin to recede, I’m sensing my way into the shape of my ‘new normal’. The blue box below represents my current thinking about my practice. I expect this to change as I get a greater understanding of the new environment.

Meantime, I am writing more, and you can find me on LinkedIn, where I now post my articles. It is also a good way to contact me.

If you are caught up in relentless activity and are seeking some purposeful time-out to restore and renew your leadership spirit, please get in touch.

In moving towards a new normal, I currently offer:

Executive Coaching and Coaching Supervision dialogues

  • By ’phone - I do my best work in audio-only environments. You can learn more about this in my post 'To see or not to see’

  • In person – appropriately distanced – at my base in the Cairngorms National Park, which is a 5-minite walk from a train station. Weather permitting, we can go for a coaching walk. Alternatively, I have a beautiful room that looks out onto mature Scots Pines, Silver Birches and Rowan trees.

Contemplating Leadership

  • A series of five 90-minute conference calls for 4-6 people, using pieces from my book Weekly Leadership Contemplations to stimulate an exploration of leadership and to offer brief periods of respite from unceasing intensity in the workplace.

  • A pilot programme will begin on 7 October – more details here.

  • When conditions allow, I will offer an extended version of this programme as a short retreat at a location in the Cairngorms.

Changing practice in conversations

  • My signature programme, Embodying Dialogue Practices, based on my book Pause for Breath, is itself paused at the moment. My preference for this work is to be in dialogue with a small group, in person, so that we can fully explore how we carry ourselves in our conversations. Perhaps...when conditions allow...

To begin a conversation about how I might support you, please get in touch...

I am also a writer…

Pause for Breath book cover

For more information about my work and my general approach see my award-winning book, Pause for Breath – bringing the practices of mindfulness and dialogue to leadership conversations.

In 2012, my book received a silver ‘Nautilus’ award in the business and leadership category. For more about Naultilus Book Awards, recognising ‘heartfelt and literary contributions’ to positive social change, see their website and library.

My second book is now out…

Weekly Leadership Contemplations book cover

Weekly Leadership Contemplations is a book for our times. It is for those who are searching for inspiration as they reflect on their leadership experiences and practice. It is a collection of short pieces that invite you to connect with similar moments in your own life and work and to consider them more probingly. The book is meant to be read slowly – it is a written ‘thought for the week’.

Many of the narratives highlight the ‘gap’ between leadership aspirations and our ability to live up to them, and gently challenge you to hold yourself to account and to tackle this disparity. Throughout the book, you will be encouraged to make contact with your finest leadership spirit, and to anchor your choices in it.

Contact me…

You can contact me through LinkedIn, or by emailing Amanda @ originate.org.uk.