Kind Words
A selection of reflections from people I have worked with over the years, across all kinds of projects. I’ve chosen ones that best reflect what it’s like to work with me - which I appreciate is difficult to assess from a website!
Coaching and Reflective Practice
“Coaching with Emer is transformational. She is highly intuitive and skilled at identifying priorities and gentling holding you in that space to generate tangible actions that make you feel positive, in control and excited.
I loved how she identified where there was lightness and heaviness and supported me in identifying positive beliefs. I found that very powerful. I also loved the creative side as I am a very visual person. I really like how boundaried Emer is – I think we connect well but we also get a lot done together. She is very focused, intuitive and cuts through any bullshit.
”
“This has felt so much more than a course. It’s really felt like a timely community of amazing women who are each seeking out what it really means to live their lives fully.
I appreciate the way you’ve made things really holistic, and about us and about our thinking. I think that’s really testament to your investment in us relationally.
I really want to encourage you really – what an amazing gift you’ve got – doing this with real integrity and warmth and enabling brilliant relationships so a massive thank you – it’s a real gift.
”
“Emer is wonderful human being, who also happens to be a talented facilitator, coach and graphic illustrator. You will benefit as much from her presence as from the wealth of knowledge she has to share, so I would highly recommend working with her.
”
“I feel like the course has given me permission to spend more time on the things that give me pleasure and energy in and out of work in a way that no other coaching or course I’ve done before has ever achieved.‘
‘I have made little changes to my daily routine which feel like big changes to my life. I have a clear picture of the future I want and it feels realistic. I have the tools I need to keep focusing on different elements of my plan and when I feel I’m getting off track or have achieved them – I can re-draw the picture!
”
“A creative journey through visioning and goal setting, with Emer as your very able guide. I feel renewed, restored and transformed. Thank you.
”
“I enjoyed the course a lot, I think what I liked the most was the dynamic of it and how comfortable I felt openly speaking about my
feelings with the other attendees.
I learned many new ways to achieve my goals, and more specifically,
I will definitely use techniques such as the graphical action plans, since that has already served as an improvement towards my goals.
Other changes is to journal every day to keep track and be able to look back in the future.
”
Relational Design & Participation
“Thank you Emer for encouraging and supporting the Champions to develop their roles, their stories and their voices and for the wonderful project art.”
“We were delighted with Emer’s sessions here at the Citadel. Each session was skilfully delivered in a friendly and approachable manner. Emer was also very adaptable and particularly supportive in the planning sessions we had prior to her delivering. For a hands on, engaging activity we would definitely recommend Emer”
“Emer really worked to understand the underpinning of the how and why for this project to ensure she was delivering our expectations. She worked with a range of professionals as well as 200 children spanning from age 4-11! She was able to act on the cues of professionals she was working with and really took the lead in terms of facilitating discussions and generating ideas. Her professional yet approachable manner made the whole experience very informal and put learners at ease to share their views. A really positive experience for all, thank you!”
Learning Design and Training
“I was introduced to Emer recently by a colleague who thought that Emer’s skills and energy would be a good match for my team and I. We invited Emer to run a taster session for us in graphic facilitation and we had fun, laughed, and not once did any of us feel we couldn’t draw! Emer immediately puts you at ease, introducing you to both herself and the topic in an engaging manner. Emer’s workshops are lively, interactive and build your skills as a group. The team left by energised and I’m looking forward to seeing the results in training rooms soon! I look forward to working with Emer again soon.”
“In my line of work, I rarely come across talented and creative individuals like Emer, who can bring out our latent talents to the fore; and influence and improve the way we work. Emer’s Visual Thinking courses became popular in my firm through word-of-mouth and she has transformed me from a sceptical student to an avid practitioner.
I have been a Business Analyst for 20 years and in that period, I have attended many training courses including those having formal process diagrams and what not, which most times confuse rather than convince people. And then you come across this – Visual Thinking for Business - which is simple and easy to understand. It is the best thing I have come across in my work in 20 years.
And while Emer’s technical ability as a visual thinker is without doubt, I was also impressed by her relaxed confidence, ability as a coach to command a room, ability to change mindsets, and her constructive feedback. As a visual thinker, coach and facilitator, Emer has my highest recommendation
”
“The OB Loch Eil Centre team were delighted to work with Emer O’Leary during our staff training week. Our mission was to explore how we could use simple graphics to enhance our practice with young people. The progress was fantastic and I will be excited to see the impact of this work.
The course with Emer gave us space to practice, experiment and play with a variety of approaches and styles. The images are of our staff content during the course.
A great day of considering and thinking about how we frame the OB experience and add quality into reviewing the learning. 🙏👏’
”
See more in Facilitation