“Hello.
I'm Charlotte Downie”
We show managers how to think differently
It’s a real shift in mindset for someone managing a team for the first time. We help managers recognise that before they can successfully manage others, they must first understand their own strengths and weaknesses.
We work on their skills (the way they communicate, for example) and their mindset (learning how to look at things differently). We also work on how to avoid autopilot and become intentional, which helps them handle situations more skilfully to get the best outcome.
Our popular 'ready-to-go' management programme
This is the perfect introductory course for new managers and gives them a good foundation, which they can then go away and build on. Split into six modules, it’s usually delivered as six half-day sessions spread over several weeks.
Topics include areas like managing yourself, managing teams and dealing with difficult conversations. Many of our clients return to run this course time and again as new managers come through the ranks.
Looking for something a little more ‘bespoke’?
You may have a very clear idea of the kind of management course you want to create, but perhaps need a little help getting it off the ground. We’re very experienced at taking your brief and creating a programme unique to a particular situation.
We can either create content for you, use yours, or combine a mixture of both. Sessions can be planned to fit in with whatever schedule works for you.
What do we cover?
Examples of the type of things we can cover include the following (but talk to us if you want something you don’t see on this list!)
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Personality Preference
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Agile Management
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Effective Delegation
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Difficult Conversations
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Communicating with Impact
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Performance Management
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Manager as Coach
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High Performing Teams
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Strategic Thinking
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Developing the next generation
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Inclusive Leadership
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Resilient Leadership
“Becoming is better than being.”
Carol Dweck, American Psychologist
About
White Grove Consulting
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Hello, I'm Charlotte Downie*
I’m a knowledge sharer, change maker, avid learner and founder of White Grove Consulting (formerly Dicken Consulting). I and my group of associates have worked with global companies for over 20 years, helping businesses and people to thrive.
I began my business in 2008 (back then it was just me). These days I still design all the White Grove development programmes, but my associates help me with workshop and course delivery.
What’s my background?
I started my career over twenty years ago as a Human Performance Consultant at Accenture, where I was the lead on large-scale cultural change projects for clients like British Gas, BP and Shell. I’ve also been Head of Leadership & Talent for the Bank of New Zealand and Global Leadership Program Head at Credit Suisse, where I designed and delivered many bespoke leadership and talent programmes. This made me realise I wanted to help as many people as possible become better versions of themselves. I set up on my own to fulfil this dream.
Who are White Grove clients?
Since I started my business, I’ve been fortunate enough to work all over the world with a large number of blue-chip clients, many of whom are in the financial services industry. These include BlackRock, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank of Canada, JP Morgan, MUFG, Jupiter Asset Management, Charles Stanley, QBE Insurance, Schroders and Tradeweb.
My passion is my work (yes, honestly)
I’m a self-confessed psychology geek (I have a psychology degree and I’m also qualified in psychometric testing) which is a genuine passion that feeds into my job. Endlessly curious about what causes us to behave the way we do and how that influences others, I’m constantly researching podcasts, watching TED talks and reading articles to keep up to date with the latest advances in neuroscience, organisational behaviour and talent development.
I’m mad on research
My small obsession with learning and research helps me explore a topic very thoroughly, and then I distil everything I’ve learned and weave the best bits into our sessions. I believe we all have so much to learn - however experienced we are - and because I and my associates practise this ourselves, it often helps delegates to open up and admit it’s OK to not always have the answers.
What I love about my job
I love inspiring people and enabling delegates to have ‘lightbulb moments’ – those times when you see something has really resonated for someone, and you know it will translate into meaningful action. I also love connecting with delegates – it’s important to me to show empathy as it helps break down barriers with a new group. It’s a real buzz when someone comes up after a course and says that I’ve changed their view of things (especially if they admit they were a bit cynical in the first place!).
So that’s work… but what about home?
I live in the West Midlands with my partner Craig, my two boys, and his four boys (yes, that really is six altogether). It’s obviously a busy household, but I enjoy the contrast between work and spending time with my family.
When I’m not on the side of a football pitch (which is often!) I like to travel, and I love to read (and listen to those podcasts I mentioned before). I find that going to the gym and keeping fit gives me the mental energy and personal headspace to cope well with the demands of my life, as does enjoying good food and wine with family and friends.
* Many people know me as Charlotte Dicken, but I have now reverted to my maiden name of Downie.