Simon Goland, testimonials, change, development, consulting, training, facilitating

The “Whole Systems Thinking and Sustainable Development” course by Simon was a tryst with an extremely powerful concept which not only helped me to better understand the interrelationships of the constituent parts of a system, but also helped me to see the whole MBA curriculum from the lens of Whole System Thinking. I could connect various concepts in different subjects with each other and then apply them even more effectively. The perfect blend between theory and practice was evident as every concept taught was followed by application in a particular activity. By the end of this two week long journey, after some wonderful simulations and our project work, we gained profound insights of sustainability and modes of application of whole systems perspective to several activities of both our personal and professional lives. Thanks a lot Simon for this excellent course, designed in a very effective manner. It was a lot of learning and fun! – MBA program participants in the HR, Marketing, and Business Leadership Programs at the School of Inspired Leadership, India

Simon was a guest speaker at the BC CEO Network. His presentation “Creative Leadership in Times of Complexity” was well delivered and the subject was relevant for the times we are facing as leaders in the social services sector. I appreciated his positive focus, the stories he told in order to emphasize the message and the practical tools that he suggested to assist us in our leadership roles. Simon’s steady, gentle style added to his presentation! – E.T., Executive Director, BC CEO Network

The Coaching Workshop Series for our directors and team leaders was extremely helpful. What worked really well were the demonstrations, the learning games, the opportunities for practice, the feedback, and the group discussions. I really appreciated the opportunities for people to be really open and honest, and the use of games and activities to gently push us outside of our comfort zone. Simon’s positive and insightful approach was invaluable, and the facilitation style – organized, fun, interesting, interactive, beautifully paced, and engaging – added tremendously to the learning experience of all. His many “real life” examples of coaching situations helped understand the impacts and benefits of coaching. The many opportunities for practice, both during and in-between the sessions, was invaluable to solidify our understanding of the subject matter. I wish we had longer days, and more of your sessions! – A group of Directors and Team Leaders, poSabilities

I would highly recommend Simon for any organization who wants to offer their employees a unique, fun, deep, meaningful experience. Simon recently designed and delivered a 1 day session dealing with communication and cultural awareness for our organization. The project was demanding as it required a workshop that served learning needs of 3 unique organizations that were collaborating on a challenging project. Simon was accommodating and patient through the design process and delivered a superb session, despite last minute changes. His activities and stories about working in many cultures greatly enhanced the experience for participants. Overall, it was very positively received. Thank you Simon – you were an absolute pleasure to work with! – K.A., Organizational Development and Learning Specialist, Ballard Power Systems

I thought Simon was not only an excellent instructor but an excellent coach as well. Simon’s feedback on my coaching as well as my fellow learners was spot on and very helpful. Simon has an excellent way about him that inspires his learners and makes them want to be their best. – “Coaching for Leadership” course participant, Executive MBA, Royal Roads University

Simon was instrumental in introducing the power of creativity, innovation, and Mind Mapping tools to SSP, not just as a tactical application but also an alternative and enhanced form of visualizing problems and opportunities. The rapid growth in the use of the Mind Mapping software for everything from product and marketing strategy to proposal development demonstrates the great value of this tool in a high tech environment. At a personal level, I feel like I have been given back color and form as alternates to visualizing all problems in only written language. – S.H., Former VP & GM, Wireless Systems Group, Spectrum Signal Processing

Simon designed and presented a seminar to all our student advisors. In addition, he returned after one month to meet with us for a follow up session, to further discuss any issues that we had after practicing with the skills taught in his seminar. The focus of Simon’s seminar for CGA was Coaching, Appreciative Inquiry, and Cross-Cultural Diversity. The seminar was fantastic. Simon incorporated both large group and small group interactions, allowing for our own expertise to help guide the discussion. He checked in with us often, ensuring that we related to the material and that we were connecting with the new information. His passion and concern for people came out in his teaching, and he had all of our attention for the entire day. We wanted to hear what he had to say. We were eager to see things from another perspective and learn new tips and techniques. Feedback from all staff has been very positive, and we are excited to move forward with this new learning. – J.R., Manager Student Services, CGA-BC

Simon’s impact is felt in his capacity to evoke authenticity in the area of personal evolution. Weaving his creative energy and positive persistence, Simon’s guidance simplifies the intricate process of balance. Simon’s compassion and objectivity channel inner turmoil into manageable pieces. Trained as a professional coach, he is honest and the process has real inclusion. Simon mobilizes people into action. Results are consistent. Individuals shift out of fear and resistance and into “authority” and stability within themselves. Self-knowledge and self-appreciation emerge, increasing effectiveness, creating a conscious future aligned with personal purpose. – P.M., Educator/Consultant

These past two weeks have been my most profound times in this whole year-long program, preparing me to move into the world and “make it happen.” The doubts are gone, everything “clicked” into place, and the direction of my new business is clear and solid. This course was an amazing integration of flow, variety, head, heart, professionally prepared material, interactive processes, and transformative theory. I have never met a person who has such passion for what he does; even more so – how Simon role-models his teachings. Thank you for an incredible life-changing two weeks. – M.W., Student, Rhodes College

I have always known that coaching is what makes a good athlete better, but I had never thought of applying that philosophy to every day life and business. Simon Goland helped to determine what things are important to me, both in my work and my personal life and how to bring about a balance of the two. I learned how to capitalize on the skills I possess and recognize when I was better off getting someone else to handle things that were not in my skill set. Simon has an assertive approach which encouraged me to do some in-depth personal examination, painful at times, but always beneficial. I can recommend lifestyle coaching for anyone who is looking for a better understanding of themselves, how they approach problems and how they deal with people. - D.L., dpl Consulting

Dear Simon,
I just wanted to thank you for working with me over this last year. Public Dreams Society is a growing company and my role as the Founding Member and Artistic Director of the organization has been an ever evolving process. With growth comes change and with change adjustment not only for me but all the people I work with. I needed a chance to step away and take a look at who we are and where we want to go and I got that by spending time with you. I feel I have my feet on the ground and my head in the right place to take the steps forward, with the team, into the future. Thanks for your support and direction. All the best. – D.H., Artistic Director, Public Dreams Society

When I first came into the Personal Coaching course, I did not want to be a personal coach. By day 3 I was getting interested and by day 5, I was hooked! The course made me realize the great things I can do for people I may not otherwise get a chance to work with. It also made me realize what my gifts were and exactly what it is that I believe and how I want to work with people. I absolutely enjoyed the personal coaching course and my fellow class mates and myself are still talking about Simon. He is a model for all personal coaches. And I think the stories that he shares in the class are the best. They really hit home for me and explained the point he was trying to make. Keep up the good work Simon. – B.D., Life Skills Coach

I want you to know that meeting with you over the past two months has been a wonderful experience. You have motivated me to be truthfully introspective and begin to make some positive changes in my life. Not only am I writing again, I am writing meaningful stories that give me creative and personal satisfaction. Although continuing to meet with you indefinitely would be a positive partnership I really think that it is time for me to complete what I have started on my own. Thank you so very much Simon. You are a gifted coach and an incredible human being. – M.M., Writer/Editor/Researcher

Each session with Simon led to discoveries and revealed long buried ambitions. Where I saw confusion, Simon saw opportunity. Where I saw hurdles to jump, Simon saw paths to follow. Where I wanted change, Simon helped me achieve it – through supportive dialogue, wise counsel and friendship with a smile. – J.S., Writer/Translator

Simon has been instrumental in helping me to achieve a new level of success in my personal and professional life. He has been coaching me for over six years (since I left Canada) and has helped me to experience life in Europe in a much fuller way. He has also shown me how to enjoy a richer and more diverse career, resulting in my current dream job. In short, he’s good at what he does. – T.S., Senior Web Applications Developer, European Space Agency

I just wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for your instruction. The large amount of ‘lab time’ has propelled our understanding of the course material much further than what ALL of us were expecting, especially compared to our previous language studies. Your method of teaching works very well with us, and many people in the class have had extremely good feedback about where they are ‘at’ with the course now. I’ve noticed that I go home feeling good about myself and the course (and confident!), instead of grumpy and frustrated like I have been the last 4 months. So THANK YOU!!! for the help in class and from the people I’ve talked to it’s unanimous, you are the best instructor we’ve had to date! - D.M., BCIT

I value Simon’s perception and memory over time continuum. Simon doesn’t rub my nose in things – it’s more that I don’t have to repeat myself, and he knows my story. He follows very well, and I feel that I have his complete attention, whether we are working in person or over the telephone. He is incredibly gentle yet brilliant. Ah-ha! His insights often help my thought process gel. We work together at finding patterns, behaviours and choices. When I have accomplished a goal or made a personal victory, I want to call Simon right away. I also feel as comfortable to ask for his help when things aren’t going so great. Simon is a spectacular coach! He is also a wonderful, devoted and true friend. – M.W., Coach/Public Speaker

I consider my self lucky to have had Simon as my coach. With Simon’s coaching I have learned so much about my self and what my blocks are. Simon has challenged me in many different ways towards positive change. I felt that Simon was focused, ready and present for me, as a client. He helped me see things from a different perspective. I continue to be surprised at the variety of topics Simon can help me with. Simon is direct, yet gentle with a healthy sense of humour. But most of all, he gets the job done in his sessions. After each session with Simon, I felt inspired and empowered. As a newly self employed person I found the support and guidance from Simon to be invaluable. I would strongly recommend Simon as a coach to anyone. I look forward to working with Simon again. – M.R., Singer/Songwriter

The workshop on Life in Balance was one of the most practical and action oriented workshops I’ve attended in a long time. The instructor was well versed in the topic and allowed for lots of creativity and interplay with other participants. I would highly recommend this workshop to anyone who is interested in seeing for themselves just how simple (with the right tools) it can be to put balance back into their lives. - M.F., Coach/Counsellor

I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Goland’s Life In Balance Workshop. The varied media and approaches were thought provoking and the group discussion brought out perspectives and ideas which I hadn’t considered. The workshop helped me see from more than one angle that (i) my life is out of balance & why, and (ii) it is very possible to get it in better balance. Everyone in the workshop had some area in which they felt that their life wasn’t all it could be, and I found reassurance in that. Simon’s approach that life is a wheel was easy to understand and apply. When I left at the end of the workshop I had a strong sense of where it was in my life that needed some pumping up, and I had a firm plan to make the changes that would make an immediate difference. From video to group discussion, lecture to meditation, all the way through to the random ringing of the mindfulness chime, the time was well spent. Mr. Goland demonstrated how a multifaceted balanced workshop can inspire the potential for a multifaceted balanced life. – M.W., Coach/Counsellor

Simon Goland’s Life in Balance workshop was definitely a step in the right direction for me… a step towards a more balanced lifestyle. A step towards not only examining that lifestyle but also taking action towards achieving my goals in all areas of my life. Simon is a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and “well balanced” group facilitator. This was very obvious the whole way through his presentation. – E.R., Coach/Counsellor

I found Simon to be a delightfully sensitive and astute workshop facilitator. He blended a rich sense of humour with a calm graciousness that helped me to explore my life more meaningfully and thoroughly. I was moved by how I felt so deeply cared about by Simon and of how appropriate the teachings were to me. Many thanks. – T.A.