Client Perspectives

 

 

"We had with Ian McMonagle an excellent retreat of the EBRD excom. Ian is extremely talented to create an atmosphere of trust which allows people to open up and have in depth exchanges.

He has a deep understanding of human interactions and opens new perspectives on leadership.

The retreat in Scotland was a perfect mix of sessions of presentation about leadership, exchanges about our personal experiences and outdoor walks in a magnificent region.

This experience has had a strong impact on our team. It was a unique experience allowing us to know and understand each other better (we just have had a large number of new comers in the team and were coming out of more than a year of remote working). It helped us to create a spirit of trust essential for an effective leadership in partnership."

 - Odile Renaud-Basso

President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

 

 

"Ian McMonagle has the special gift to help people find their deeper drives and motives and connect this to the objectives of the firm and their working environment. Ian is sincerely interested in people, combines empathy with a positive forward looking attitude. This also makes him valuable for me as the Chairman of the Executive Board. The higher you get in an organization, the more the focus should be on people and on the future."

 - Gerrit Zalm

Former Deputy Prime Minister Netherlands
Former Chairman ABN AMRO Bank 
Honoured by six countries for special, meritorious services
Independent Director Royal Dutch Shell & Danske Bank

 

 

"Before our workshop, Ian worked hard to understand the opportunities for our leadership team and the individuals in it. Then he designed bespoke sessions for us to help us achieve our goals.  

The meeting exceeded our expectations: Ian provided a good balance of thought-provoking content with interactive and personal exercises which were unanimously agreed to have been time very well spent"

- Ana Botín DBE

Group Executive Chairman Banco Santander, S.A.

 

 

"I had the privilege of meeting Ian McMonagle during my tenure with ABN AMRO, firstly as a senior executive in Europe and later on in the Managing Board of the company. Ian is unique, not because he brings the last ‘fashionable management or leadership theory’ but because he brings himself in his total entirety to  any of the courses/sessions he facilitates. He is uniquely present, powerful without being noticed, very effective with participants, enticing them to participate and engage in a total fearless environment. He is a profound, positive human being.

Soft spoken and kind, Ian facilitates meetings healing. He is ‘the cure’ to those deprived of good balanced energy, to those deprived of a good dialogue inside their company, for those who need to reflect about their own careers, life or any other profound human and or business challenge. As a coach, he is one of a kind. Ian leads with love, perhaps the most powerful source of energy in humanity, yet totally centered on real business issues and how a balanced individual and an individual with courage can liberate incredible sources of positive energy and creativity (read innovation) in companies. Free individuals think clearer. For me as individual and for the business I led, Ian brought me: 

Humility and a good calm sense to analyze before reacting.
Less reactive action and more thoughtful approaches towards people, customers and teams.
Self confidence based on one’s gravity point.
Precise with your/my own intuition, valuing it and incorporating as part of any data analysis.
Data does not preclude listening in full … not just with the ears."

- Sergio Rial

Executive Director Santander Bank, Chairman: Banco Santander Brazil, Director Delta Airlines
Former: CEO Marfrig, CFO Cargill’s Corporate Leadership Team / Managing Board, Member of ABN AMRO Bank's Managing Board

 

 

"Ian’s work is truly important and inspirational, supporting and affirming people as they search for direction and meaning in their lives"

 - Sheelagh Shelver

Oxfam International 

 

 

"Ian has a remarkable ability to get people and teams to engage and open-up in a very constructive way. I ventured up to our retreat in the glorious Highlands of Scotland with a healthy dose of scepticism about what might be achieved. It didn't take long for me to realise that Ian takes a very different approach to previous executive retreats which I have experienced. He focuses on the very human qualities and flaws which are present in every team. His gently probing exploration brings about deep self-enquiry and understanding. It is hugely impressive. The result was that by the end, the Executive Committee of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, of which I was part, were much more of a team able to understand each other and how to get the best out of each other. I thought that I had seen it all - I am glad that I can still be positively surprised. The benefits for the EBRD team were evident in our meetings back at headquarters. We were functioning at a much higher level."

 - Jonathan Charles

Strategic and Crisis Communications Consultant
Former Member of the Executive Committee of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Managing Director, Communications & Business Information Services
Award-winning BBC Television News foreign correspondent (running foreign bureaux teams) and news presenter

 

 

"I consider meeting Ian in 1999 as the beginning of my leadership journey. Through group discussions, 1-on-1 conversations, reading and reflecting Ian has given great depth to that journey. He has made me realise that leading others starts with your personal story. Over the years Ian has become a dear friend."

- Piero Overmars

Chairman Supervisory Board Adyen NV
Former Chairman of the Board of Nyenrode
Former Managing Board member ABN AMRO BANK

 

 

“Ian has been a wonderful coach and teacher. He provided a great framework for leadership and at critical stages of my career helped me reflect on my own behaviors and how to become a more effective leader. Ian has been an inspiration on my journey through life, both professionally and privately. He has made me understand the purpose of leadership, even touching upon the purpose of life.” 

- Ron Teerlink

 Chairman Supervisory Board Rabobank
Member Supervisory Board Just Eat Takeaway.com NV
Chairman Supervisory Board Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam 

 

 

"We have a longstanding relationship with Ian McMonagle and, in our view, his Art of Leadership course has given a number of our most senior staff the opportunity to explore their own leadership style and skills, both in our company and personally, in a creative and thought provoking environment with positive results. Having attended the course myself, I feel able to recommend Ian’s course structure, knowledge and facilitation and his passion for the subject.  My senior management team have walked away feeling motivated and inspired. These are not sessions for all but, rather, for those at the senior level who are on a leadership path and who would value some assistance in developing their own style in this area."

- Ray Winters

CEO Mitsubishi UFJ Trust International Limited 

 

 

"Ian is a special person. He has the ability to make you look deep within yourself to search for answers to questions that you forgot you had. 

I first met Ian in 1999, and to this day retain the little yellow book of thoughts that he encouraged us to put down. The journey that I started on at that time with his encouragement, is far from over, but one that I feel very comfortable with.

There are many executive coaches but very few who are such competent guides. I have learnt a great deal from him."

- Meera H. Sanyal 

Member of Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s International Council on Women's Business Leadership
Director Pradan, Empowering Women through Entrepreneurship
Former CEO & Chairperson RBS India

 

 

“I have known Ian for more than 20 years. I’m always amazed by his wisdom and warmth & the way he can connect (with) people. For me personally Ian is an inspiration. In many important defining moments in my life Ian played an important role and I’m grateful to have spent much time with Ian both as a coach and in many different Leadership programs” 

- Daphne de Kluis

Member of Executive Board Achmea
Former CEO Commercial Banking ABN AMRO Bank NV

 

 

"As a young CEO appointed to manage a big transformation at a 6000 people organization I asked Ian's support to help me build a well-aligned top management team. At that time most of my colleagues did not know each other well and we had to manage a challenging situation together. He has helped us discover each other as a person, by inspiring us on great leadership experiences. The event he arranged in Scotland marked the beginning of a high performing team culture. Since then we continue to work with Ian on various leadership challenges. He is a very experienced executive coach with strong ability to adapt to different culture and context. I am grateful to have met him and his team and we’re looking forward to build a successful journey together. We referenced Ian’s work with us in a Harvard Business review feature"

- Pinar Abay 

Member of Management Board Banking ING Bank
Head of Market Leaders
Former CEO Turkey ING 

 

 

"Ian McMonagle has left a lasting impact on me both personally and professionally.  Ian is kind, thoughtful and a keen observer of what goes on in the core of the human spirit.  Time and time again, I have noticed he is able to draw out the core needs of both individuals and teams.  

Ian has always given me energy, inspiration and great advice.  Our teams have benefited greatly from his ability help us find passion and compassion in our professional missions.  In the end, he helps you find the freedom to be yourself and there is nothing more liberating."

 - Tamira Treffers-Herrera

Vice Chairperson & Co-Head Client Coverage North America Wholesale
Head of Atlanta Office Rabobank Wholesale Banking

 

 

"When I was promoted to a senior management position I started to work  with Ian as my personal coach. We had quarterly sessions where I  talked a lot about my business and the situation the bank was facing. 

We also spend a lot of time on my situation at home with my family. Ian acted as a wise father who helped me to pick the right path to  success both in professional life and in private life. I remember an important presentation that I had to give in 2002 when I was just appointed in a new management role where I had to implement a lot of  changes. We discussed the key messages in the presentation and turned it from a middle of the road presentation into a great story about a journey my new team was about to start. 

Today I still use Ian as my wise coach and advisor who helped me to sail through the storm of the credit crisis and who is now helping me to take the right path in the rebuilding of a great new bank."

- Rutger van Nouhuijs

Head of Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory for Benelux Citigroup
Former CEO Corporate & Institutional Banking ABN AMRO Bank NV

 

 

"I first met Ian in 1998 when I participated in a senior management course he was leading. Over the ensuing years I have come to know and value him as a teacher, a coach and a friend. Ian acts with the greatest of integrity and concern for the individual while engaging with multiple parties operating within an organisation.  Through Ian's approach he is able to develop long term relationships based upon trust and insight. Ian's ability to develop such meaningful relationships adds significant value to all."

- David Cole

Chairman Supervisory Board NN
Former CFO Swiss Re Ltd 
Supervisory Board member IMC

 

 

"I have worked with Ian and his team for over 10 years. Every time again Ian knows how to inspire people. He is very gifted to create a safe environment where people open up, really engage and connect with each other and get some real time to reflect. I hope to work with Ian for many more years."

- Maurits Duynstee

 Partner Axeco 
Former Managing Director ING
Head of Corporate Clients and Corporate Finance Netherlands

 

 

"For anyone looking to advance in leadership, I would highly welcome any of Ian’s programmes.  When I consider my own leadership progression and development, much of it was founded on Ian’s work and it has been a very worthwhile investment."

- Phil Verity

Senior Partner Mazars

 

 

"When I joined ABN AMRO in 2017, I had the great opportunity to participate in the Art of Leading event organised by Ian. I consider these three days in the Scottish Highlands as defining moments both professionally and personally. Ian provides me with deeper insight in myself and in how my personal and cultural background can provide value and strength in both my leadership role as well as in all the other different roles I have in life. Ian helps me to put things in a holistic perspective, listens carefully before giving advice and helps me to use my inner strength and values to make an impact in the organisation. Ian is a whole hearted person and is gifted in creating a context in which people open up and share their inner feelings.  He is an experienced coach and trusted advisor and helps me to see things from different angles and to take time to deeply reflect. Being coached by Ian really is a privilege and provides me with energy and inspiration."

- Aartie Hoeblal

Head of Portfolio Management Commercial Banking ABN AMRO Bank NV

 

 

"Ian has meant a lot to me as executive coach. His way of giving feed back is effective as well as warm and sensitive. He uses a mix of various theories, personal experiences and business knowledge to be able to touch my individual as well as my business personality. Apart from this Ian has at his disposal a unique combination of analytical, emotional and spiritual intelligence but above all he is a “shining”person, in the sense that he is really nothing else but a fully authentic personality. This makes him not only a valuable professional coach but most of all a person for whom one can only feel warm friendship and love."

- Leo Peeters Weem

CEO Rabobank Rotterdam

 

 

"Ian is a very professional, warm personality who truly tries to understand you. He genuinely likes people and loves to help them with their development needs. He probes very well to really get to the bottom of an issue. He has a great library with excellent books that helped me gain deeper insights into Leadership issues very aligned with my needs."

- Paul Gerla

CEO Kempen

 

 

"Ian facilitated a retreat for our Hong Kong/Mainland China partners earlier this year. His experience, integrity, compassion and commitment to our building greater trust and unity both as a team and amongst each other were qualities that shone through. These qualities, key to true servant leadership, make Ian an effective facilitator programme director, well able to speak with quiet and impactful authority on the important subject of leading. We left better than we arrived and the "afterglow" is still with us!"

- Kenneth Morrison

Managing Director Mazars CPA Limited Wanchai, Hong Kong 

 

 

 "Ian McMonagle Partnership’s "Art of Leading - Future Wise" is not your everyday leadership training experience. It's much more than that. 

Ian's style and passion for life, emphasizes the importance of people's emotional needs, while one strives for effective leadership. This approach is clearly targeted to allow high performance teams to reach for even better results and long term success. I recommend Ian's influence highly. His approach to life and leading is highly motivational."

- Breck F Hanson

Executive Vice President Commercial Real Estate Associated Bank USA

 

 

"I have used Ian as a personal mentor and for leadership coaching/training over a period of about 20 years. In addition to running leadership coaching sessions for my partners he was my personal mentor during my period as Senior Partner of the UK firm of Mazars (a global Audit and Accounting Group of 12,000 people).  He assisted my thinking and critical decision making at vital points in this period.  He has the ability to convey tough messages in a positive and sensitive fashion.

As a leadership coach/trainer he inspires, challenges and coaches with a passion for people’s development.  His intellect, emotions and very soul are all engaged in the process.

I owe much to Ian and value him as a dear friend and mentor."

- John Mellows

Senior Advisor to the Mazars Group Executive Board and responsible for Mazars’ Asia Pacific Region

 

 

"This is not just another Training course. Ian’s Art of Leading event gives you have the chance to look at the Leader as a whole person, to rediscover and renew old experiences and values and to explore newer ones for yourself, safely and deeply with real care for the person."

- Faith Boardman

Former CEO London Borough of Lambeth, CEO London Central Region HM C&E. CEO Contributions Agency

 

 

"I would count Ian as one of the few people who have been inspirational in my life.  Through his patient and empathetic coaching/mentoring, he has broadened my insight into the challenges leaders are faced with in the current complex environment. More importantly his advice and counsel have been instrumental in enabling me to build my leadership capacity and personal self-awareness.

Having Ian as a coach and mentor through my years of being a Chief Executive of a large public sector organisation was an essential part of my survival “toolkit”. Ian’s style is unique in my experience and I consider myself fortunate indeed to have been a beneficiary of his great knowledge, wisdom and friendship. His approach is thought-provoking, with gentle yet effective challenge, which is successful in deepening understanding of self and our interactions with others." 

- Pam McDougall

Former Chief Executive of an NHS Primary Care Trust

 

 

"Ian has a rare, unique, and natural ability to use words that lift and motivate even people unknown to him with no more than emails, sms, or other distance communication. 

I don't know him well, but my first reaction was that "This is a man who will make a difference for good in this world."

- Dr. Dee Groberg

Founding Vice-President of the International Covey Leadership Center

 

 

"The space and time to reflect on one's own practice alongside insights from others mean that I returned to my leadership role in Oxfam inspired and refreshed. The professional and personal guidance offered by Ian & the Art of Leading team lead to new insights about my approach to leadership as well as a deeper understanding of what motivates and drives others.

It was a challenging but above all - affirming process."

- Audrey Bronstein

Deputy International Director Oxfam

 

 

"Ian has the ability to help those he works with strip away "the trappings." This allows participants in his leadership programs to more easily discover themselves, their core and then build upon identified strengths. 

Ian is an inspiration to everyone whose life he touches. He leaves those he (coaches) counsels infinitely richer than before they met him. Ian inspires people to strive for more than they ever thought was possible. He simply brings out the the best in those who have been privileged to attend some of the programs he has led.  

Ian McMonagle is a thoughtful, insightful guide for those he has coached and counselled. He has helped many of us discover parts of ourselves we had never previously explored. 

I have been privileged to know Ian and am truly grateful for his time, his help and his wisdom. I often look back on stories, quotes and experiences from different courses that I was able to participate in."

 - Kate Pohl

Senior Consultant HSO Consulting
Former JP Morgan Chase, Citibank, ABN AMRO and ING Bank Senior Executive

 

 

"Ian is a man who can touch the hearts and souls of executives and help them awaken to the greatness of their role as leaders.

He helps leaders make sense of what authentic leadership really means and find purpose in the choices they make. Ian is much more than just a coach or a mentor… he is someone who can help you become a better person."

- Fernanda Pomin

Partner / Director VERITA` Organizational Development Sao Paulo
Former Managing Partner Korn Ferry Brazil

 

 

"Knowing Ian for a small ten years

As a coach, providing counsel/coaching/advice Ian is one of those rare persons that can truly actively listen to you. 

His engagement with you as a person makes it easy to be your honest self in the sessions you have with Ian. 

The fact that he has been coaching many people at the highest senior level in many companies also makes his coaching extremely valuable. In working with Ian you gradually come to the conclusion that he fulfils not only the role as a coach but very much also as a mentor. 

Every session I did with Ian I came back a re-energised person. It feels as if you had a holiday of a week."

- Peter Aelbers

Former CEO and Country Executive ABN AMRO Luxembourg