Structure, support and space to make change possible

Hello, I'm Maria

I set up Good Monday because I believe that organisational change can be a force for good, when thought through properly and implemented with care, clarity and compassion. Through my broad experience across sectors I have also learned that success fundamentally depends on having a great team who are able to support and challenge each other.

I bring realism, structure, clarity and a fresh perspective so that you can make informed decisions and take action. 

I am always more interested in how things will work in reality than in having a fancy-looking document or flow-chart. People make change, people are the culture, sometimes they are getting in their own way, and they are always the solution.

A digital illustration of a downward-curving arrow with a light purple outline.

A qualified facilitator, I believe in the power of creating connection and trust through constructive dialogue. Delivering work that makes a real difference is never just about structures and process - although those are important too - it’s first and foremost about human beings, their skills, capabilities, behaviours, feelings and reactions.

I absolutely love getting to those thorny issues your team has been avoiding for years, opening up conversation and hearing honest views and perspectives expressed - sometimes for the first time - so that even in difficult times the magic of meaningful dialogue can shift dynamics and enable better relationships.

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Good Monday is about helping good people do great work, especially when things are shifting - which, let’s face it, is all the time. Whether supporting a leader, a team, or a whole organisation, I’m here to help make work feel purposeful, not overwhelming.

I'd love to hear from you and talk about how we work together to maximise your organisation's impact and make sure your people have a Good Monday - every Monday!

Also I just love a cuppa and a chat, so don’t be shy.

Kind words from clients

  • I would recommend this course to any team...

    …who have changes ahead or are going through change. Maria is an excellent trainer - we all got so much out of the 3 hours.

    We have gone through considerable change over the past 6 months. Maria delivered a course that met the team where they were, acknowledged the changes and psychologically moving forward cohesively.

    - Team Manager and participant

  • "Maria has been exceptional...

    …in helping facilitate, support and drive wholesale organisational change at the Sussex Wildlife Trust. This has been a comprehensive programme bringing together a new strategy alongside changes to the structure, skills and ways of working needed to make it happen. We are not there yet and no organisation ever gets to perfection. However, Maria has helped us build in a culture of continual improvement to make sure we never get complacent.”

    — Chris Corrigan, CEO Susse Wildlife Trust 

  • "It was more enjoyable and useful than my cynical mind was expecting!...

    …I valued being invited to take or leave the parts that worked for me vs the parts that didn't. The opening exercise allowed people to feel comfortable 

    Management skills workshop participantIt was more enjoyable and useful than my cynical mind was expecting! I valued being invited to take or leave the parts that worked for me vs the parts that didn't. The opening exercise allowed people to feel comfortable.” 

    — Management skills workshop participant

  • "I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Leading and working with change workshop’ ...

    …facilitated by Maria. I left the workshop feeling energised and excited about how to support my colleagues and team with future changes in the organisation.”

    — Workshop participant 

  • The cards were excellent -

    - they allowed us to have open and honest discussions around our feelings. Our team opened up a lot more that I expected and the visual aids and cards opened this dialogue. The team were extremely engaged

    - Workshop participant

  • "I’ve gained so much through the reflection...

    …I’ve been able to do as a result of my mentoring experience with Maria, and she’s given me some really solid ideas and changes I can take forward with me. I’d absolutely recommend Maria as a brilliant mentor!”

    — Mentoring Client

  • “Maria’s coaching equipped me...

    …with tangible strategies for tricky conversations. I felt prepared, when I had felt overwhelmed before. All down to her outstanding listening, understanding and analytical skills.”

    – Kata Gyöngyösi, Director of Development,
    Brighton Dome & Festival 

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What’s important to me

Useful and practical solutions

I absolutely love feeling useful and if I have something in my toolbox that I think would come in handy, I’ll bring it in. Whilst I appreciate visionary thinking, my strength lies in translating big ideas into tangible outcomes and plans that work within your context.

Connection

I love to connect with others, to find out what makes them light up inside, their stories and, in particular, to connect through humour. In my courses and workshops, expect lightness even when talking about serious subjects as well as plenty of time to get to know others to connect more meaningfully with each other. 

Equal relationships

My approach is a bit different from many other consultants in that I seek to get to know the people and organisations I work with holistically, so that our relationship is a partnership rather than a transactional supply of a service.

Simple, honest Communication 

Being truthful, clear and transparent is very important to me. People see straight through inauthenticity so I think it’s best to just be yourself. I value clear, simple communication and saying what you mean - especially when your perspective is different. I am highly allergic to corporate-speak and jargon.