'Just writing to say thank you for making a difference to our school and me personally. 12 people started the course but one team left it.'
This was the opening line in a message from a headteacher with whose school Mike had recently spent just one and a half days. It sums up just how powerful the work that Mike is doing with schools really is, work that draws on his years of experience in developing emotionally intelligent individuals, leaders, teams and organisations.
The e-mail continues: 'You took us through a personal journey which challenged my thinking and at times was very emotional. However this was done so cleverly that it was completely non-threatening. The change in atmosphere at school was incredible. At first the people who were not at the course were a little cynical. However in our determination to see the vision through we worked at involving everyone. Most people are now signed up for the next weekend session!!!! The journey is just starting and I am confident that as a team we will continue to develop for the benefit of the children.'
When it comes to the role of emotions in our lives the research is now backing up the evidence – we are emotional creatures and unless we work to develop our emotional intelligence then our general intelligence counts for very little indeed.
After all your EQ will take you further than your IQ.
Over many years now Mike has been at the forefront of this work, devloping and running workshops on emotional intelligence in leadership and learning for individual schools, consortia, Headlamp programmes in Devon and Cornwall and on MBA and Doctoral programmes for the Institute of International Educational Leadership at the University of Lincoln.
He has now taken this work further still, linking up with a professional story teller and an organisational psychologist to harness the power of story telling, dialogue and emotional intelligence to transform schools. The project is having amazing results.
He has delivered keynote addresses at National Conferences and is currently working on longer term projects with a number of schools on developing the role of the teacher and teaching assistant as a leader of learning. These programmes involve schools in the state and independent sector in a number of areas of the UK from Cumbria to Cornwall.
He has developed on-line programmes in leadership, management and personal development for Lincoln University and SfE and his latest book “Coach Excellence - a programme in Emotional Intelligence in Coaching” was published in the Spring of 2004.
Mike has worked nationally and internationally and is currently running workshops in South Africa as part of a programme of learning development with a northern learning community.
Recent workshops have involved:
- Emotional Intelligence in Leadership – Devon & Cornwall Headlamp
- MBA & Doctoral Programmes - Lincoln University
- Emotional Intelligence in learning
- Transforming North network learning community Thinking skills Programme - Newcastle LEA
- Winchmore School Coach Excellence – Cornwall LEA
- Lead Behaviour – Halton Borough, Cumbria Behaviour Support Team, SfE
Feedback from a school where Mike had recently spent the day doing workshops for year 11 students, a twilight INSET and then a parent Event included comments such as:
- 'Excellent presentation, thought-provoking essentially on a personal level – for me! (which was nice)'
- I would like to record my thanks to Mike Brealey for his excellent input at our Deputy Headteacher Conference. The response from the delegates was extremely positive. I greatly enjoyed both the content and the delivery.
- Mike Brearley’s input was very opportune from our point of view and will lead to action in school. We are considering partner school joint INSET'
- 'Brilliant, really thought provoking'
- 'Powerful and memorable'
- 'Absolutely fabulous, brilliant speaker, interesting, funny and handsome to boot!'
- 'F***ing fantastic!'
- For Mike's prices click here
- People who benefited from Mike have also enjoyed Dave Harris
So, to get in touch with Mike for INSET Events looking at emotional intelligence in the classroom for improved learning and behaviour, leadership for learning, learning styles and preferences, multiple intelligences, accelerated and brain-based learning please call the Independent Thinking office on 0709 239 9617 or e-mail us at learn@independentthinking.co.uk
Books written by Mike Brearley: