Testimonials
Over the eight years Marie has worked with our organisation she has developed a deep understanding of our business and organisational culture. Her outstanding ability to engage with a wide range of people, from senior management to frontline staff, has seen her work with individuals and teams from across the whole organisation.
Initially, Marie took our newly-established senior leadership team through a leadership development programme that helped us understand our own, and each other’s, personalities and leadership styles and how we could work together as an effective and high performing team. Following on from this structured programme, Marie has provided short refresher courses for the senior leadership team, alongside ongoing and invaluable executive coaching.
As well as working with the Leadership Team, Marie has provided training and mentoring for senior staff and supported different teams to resolve challenging issues, explore collaborative working relationships, and understand the concept of interest-based problem solving. Marie’s open, no-nonsense approach along with her extensive corporate, leadership and conflict resolution experience allow her to skillfully bring together people with diverse personalities, experiences and interests to focus on learning and achieving a common goal.
On a personal level, Marie’s professional and thoughtful advice, coupled with her experience and understanding of our organisation, has helped me grow as a leader and develop confidence in my leadership style. She has guided me through several work-related challenges and I always come away from our coaching meetings with new insights and ideas. When it came time to explore new work opportunities, Marie was an inspirational and supportive voice, encouraging me to examine what was really important to me and how to achieve it.
Wayne Naylor | Director of Nursing | Hospice Waikato
I have been privileged to work regularly with Marie Richards-Hodge since 2006 while I have been in a range of different roles and organisations. Over the years Marie has provided a number of services including Leadership Development Programmes, Communication & Collaboration culture programmes, one-on-one coaching, dispute resolution and workshop facilitation. In each and every instance I have been in awe of Marie’s skills, knowledge and style which I believe are unique to Marie. Marie brings her whole self to the job, sharing generously from her own personal experience in a way that makes the content more accessible. I have seen her use this to build rapport, trust and respect with people from all walks of life and all levels within an organisation.
Marie began working with BRANZ in 2014 and has run our Leadership Development Programme and Communication & Collaboration culture programme for the past six years. Her work has visibly contributed to a significant and positive culture shift that is recognised and valued by our staff, clients and stakeholders. This would not have been possible without her warmth, commitment, and her willingness to work with us to shape programmes and content to meet our needs. We consider Marie a critical business partner to our organisation. I would not hesitate to recommend Marie and her work.
Chelydra Percy | Chief Executive Officer | BRANZ
Cater Plus is built on values of passion and excellence. We know to be successful – it starts and stops with our people.
Always striving to improve our performance and leadership, we turn to Marie Richards-Hodge from Collaboration Innovations.
Marie is an integral part in developing our company vision, strategy and performance programmes. Working in partnership with us, she develops programmes that are honest, meaningful and rewarding.
It begins with her preparation and pre-work to really understand what is important to us. Marie is then able to translate that into practical content that is both engaging and empowering. She can share our messages, create discussions and offer expert advice allowing people to explore, grow and be challenged.
Marie’s facilitation style has warmth. She makes people feel at ease by quickly building rapport. The multimodal learning environment incorporates real-life examples backed up with research, visual aids and interactive exercises.
This approach connects with our diverse team from our senior leaders, site managers and even apprentices.
Marie has facilitated and created multiple sessions and programmes for us over the past 10 years. These include tailor-made workshops, Leadership and Future Leader Programmes, Leading Vision and Strategy sessions, Train the Trainer, Myers Briggs profiling, 360 Surveys and Performance Coaching.
Marie has added invaluable growth for both individuals and leaders that is genuine and embodies success.
Tash Hodge | People, Performance and Culture | Cater Plus
Marie helped bring our Senior Leadership Team together, which has made us more effective Strategically and in understanding the unique contribution we each make for the collective good. Marie also facilitated a two-day workshop with our newly elected Mayor and Councillors that included a session on Building the Team and setting the Strategic framework for this term of Council.
Marie is able to get the best out of people and her facilitation set the right platform for a highly effective newly-elected Council.
Waid Crockett | Chief Executive | South Taranaki District Council
I enjoyed and been challenged by Marie’s facilitation of group sessions for partners within my firm. Marie and I have since developed a strong relationship via one-on-one coaching, and this relationship has been critical to the success of our coaching relationship over a number of years. I appreciate her authenticity and candour where she is happy ask the tough questions and dig below the surface. I also appreciate the holistic approach Marie brings to our coaching conversations – as it has meant I have become a stronger and more well-rounded human being. The work I have undertaken with Marie has been hugely beneficial to all aspects of life (and not just the work aspects). I have and continue to get a lot out of the coaching process.
Scott Ratuki | Partner | Tompkins Wake Lawyers
I work in the health system and Marie was my coach for nine months as part of my on-going professional development as a leader.
From day one we connected; she adapted her style to meet my needs and most of all we had a trust-based relationship to get the most out of the sessions.
Her ability to help me reflect, talk through examples, give honest feedback and work through self-awareness frameworks, supported my growth and knowledge as a leader/manager.
I look forward to continuing to work with her as my coach.
Keven Palmer | Business Manager | CMDHB
I have the absolute privilege to work with an incredibly talented professional – Marie Richards-Hodge – facilitating organisational change, leadership, strategic direction, coaching and mentoring. Marie’s passion for bringing the best out in people with her underlying knowledge of people and business makes it exciting to work with her. Her approach is fun and flexible, yet challenging. Her mediation work with members of my team enabled positive change. Her facilitation skills provided a detailed five-year business strategy for us to follow. Marie’s care and compassion provides me with the confidence to drive successful change within the business. Her well-though-through practical guidance ensures the needs and challenges of the business are met. The business gains far outweigh the investment. I am confident with Marie’s unwavering support and mentoring, the organisation will continue to flourish. Roll on 2021 and beyond.
Sharon Woodley | Managing Director | Resultex Limited and Inov8 Limited
Marie delivers impacts through her work. It’s far more than rolling out programme formats and products – all her energy is directed toward helping you to be the difference.
Marie has the rare ability to help me self-identify the behaviours that block my development whilst making me feel good about it at the same time…
I’ve been working with Marie for many years and she always delivers effectively on whatever challenge we throw at her ...
It’s remarkable the impact that greater self-awareness and a deeper understanding of behaviour has had on our team’s energy and creativity over many years. I often hear team members referencing quotes from Marie’s training – it’s become part of our day-to-day culture.
Our team’s approach to collaboration has been transformed by Marie’s training and it’s fair to say it’s been enduring and not just a short term shot in the arm!
Tim Barnard | Team Manager Scientist | Scion
As a leader of facilitating organisational and professional change, Marie Richards-Hodge is in a league of her own. I have worked with Marie in two different organisations to facilitate organisational strategy development, leadership development and to improve team communication. Marie’s knowledge and skill is underpinned by her passion for people and their success. Her delivery approach is fun, flexible, honest and warm. Marie’s expertise and guidance has seen our organisation successfully implement a clear strategy that the Board and staff understand and support for the first time in many years. We look forward to continuing our engagement with Marie as we seek to review and update our strategy and team development programme.
Roberta Merito | General Manager | Inov8 Limited
Marie is an exceptional business coach, facilitator, and advisor whom I’ve worked with over many years in various capacities. She works well at all levels from senior leadership to employee, and has a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills that she tactfully uses to create both a positive experience and a shift in thinking and performance. Marie’s warm and collaborative approach means she can quickly gain trust and respect from clients and participants. This enables greater reflection, insight and shift. I highly recommend working with Marie to enhance performance whether it is your own, your teams, your leaders or your whole organisation.