Coaching & Facilitation
The Thinking Environment Programmes
The Thinking Environment is described in Nancy Kline's books: Time to Think, More Time to Think, and The Promise that Changes Everything.
The purpose of a Thinking Environment is to enable people to do their very best independent thinking - to think as themselves and for themselves.
The Thinking Environment offers a framework - 10 components - and a set of findings that inform our practice to enable the very best independent thinking.
It has proved transformative of my own work, as a coach, facilitator, and supervisor of coaches, ever since I first trained with Nancy in 2016. I have since completed several more trainings, to qualify as a coach and a facilitator using this approach, and I have blogged extensively about it. I am now a member of the Time to Think Global Faculty.
I offer an introduction to the 10 components in the video and podcast below (each is just over 6 minutes long, and the content is the same, so choose your preferred medium). Don't hesitate to get back to me if you have any questions about the programme.
I am now offering 2 programmes: The Thinking Partnership programme and The Foundation programme to share these skills.
For those who have already completed one or other of those programmes, I offer qualifying programmes, for qualification as a Time To Think Coach or a Time to Think Facilitator. Details of those programmes will be found here.
The Thinking Partnership programme
This three day programme (2+1) offers an in-depth introduction to this work in the context of one-to-one conversations, or Thinking Partnerships. It is highly immersive and experiential. For that reason, we have a maximum of six participants on the programme.
Prior to the programme, all participants have a 1-1 (normally online) meeting with me, to discuss the programme and their expectations, and to experience a confidential Thinking Partnership session
This programme is particularly suitable for coaches, mentors, leaders who wish to empower staff, and those in similar roles, who want to get people to think at their very best in 1-1 situations.
The benefits I expect participants to gain from the programme are:
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A strong working understanding of the Thinking Partnership process, and the findings that underlie it
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The ability to support and challenge others to do great thinking, powerfully and consistently in a one to one context
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Enhanced coaching and facilitation skills
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Enhanced line management skills
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Increased emotional intelligence, including greater self awareness and self management skills.
The Foundation programme
This two day programme offers an in-depth exploration of this work in the context of group work, meetings and facilitation.
You will learn largely through practice and reflection; exploring all the components of a Thinking Environment, and learning the specific applications that ensure effective and participative group work.
This is ideal for facilitators, those who chair or run meetings or training events, team leaders, and others in similar roles, who seek to get groups to think really well together.
It takes place over two days and we have a maximum of eight participants on this programme.
The benefits I expect participants to gain from the programme are:
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A strong working understanding of the Thinking Environment approach to group facilitation, and the findings that underlie it
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The ability to support and challenge others to do great thinking, powerfully and consistently, in groups
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Enhanced facilitation and coaching skills
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Enhanced line management skills
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Increased emotional intelligence, including greater self awareness and self management skills.
Where, When and What is the Cost?
All programmes are run at our home/office in the Lake District - where we are able to offer refreshments and lunches.
The next Thinking Partnership programmes are:
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13/14 March and 2 May 2025
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4/5 Sept and 10 Oct 2025
The price is £900 (+VAT). Complete the booking form below or contact me for further details.
The next Foundation programme is:
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19/20 June 2025
The price is £750 (+VAT). Complete the booking form below or contact me for further details.
What people say
Previous participants have said:
The Thinking Partnership programme was hugely impactful both for me as an in-house coach to use in my practice and as a senior manager grappling with multiple complex problems enabling me to reflect on strategic challenges and find a way through the “noise”.
I would highly recommend this programme:
1. to individuals who are looking for a way to enhance the use of their thinking time and develop easily applied strategies to optimise their problem solving abilities;
2. to teams to generate comprehensive reflections, thoughts and innovative ideas within a short time frame;
3. to coaches who want to use this technique within their own practice to support others.
Sophie Sowerby, Assistant Director HR, Durham University
I recently attended Andrew's superb Thinking Environment programme. I have been an executive coach for almost 30 years: and yet this Programme helped me take my thinking and coaching practice to a new level. It has significantly reframed my approach. The Programme had two outstanding qualities:
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3 days of quality thinking time on what matters to me
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experiential learning on Nancy Kline's 10 Components of the Thinking Environment.
A real joy!
Alan Ross, Managing Partner, Ark Associates
I really enjoyed the practice based approach you used throughout the three days. Your role in the group was perfectly pitched - it felt like we were a group of equal thinkers, but you had more insight into the TP approach, which you shared generously with us. I really appreciated you sharing your experiences of using the approach in different contexts and also current knowledge of changes and discussions with Nancy. This felt as if we were up to date with the latest thinking.
Ruth Leggett, Ruth Leggett Coaching