Diana Manks

My Cultivating Leadership colleagues are my primary clients, and I’m often the first point of contact for external client inquiries – I get to set the tone for who we are and how we be, fundamental to how we show up with a difference – described as our “special sauce”.

Our global team of “catalysts” aim to add value to our work with clients by creating great relationships, processes and support systems, whilst caretaking and improving internal systems at Cultivating Leadership. Behind the scenes I manage many of the activities and requirements of being a business, seeking to make life better for my colleagues, our clients and the planet we live and work on. I love a juicy project and creating easy to read written communication.

My number one priority is our clients and supporting my colleagues to do their best work for clients. Internally I find doing work together, whether client based or internal projects, builds relationships and trust blossoms from there. Remembering everyone can have a bad day is a useful strategy too.

Being in the system of Cultivating Leadership has shaped my work enormously. You can’t help work with people of this caliber and not have it rub off in the best possible way. The personal growth I have experienced since joining Cultivating Leadership in 2012 is something I am deeply grateful for. I notice working for an officeless business forces greater independence, ownership, flexibility and problem-solving skills. A commitment to always learning and growing continues to shape my work.

I provide a home base for our catalyst team, recruiting, training and supporting them to add value, develop personally and do work great work. I support the managing director, leadership team and our “gardeners” in many ways, including  managing business systems, enhancements through project work, and internal communication.

I’m a lover of Yin yoga, dog mad and not opposed to cats. I need to live near water otherwise I feel hemmed in. Reading and podcasts often fill my mind; and I enjoy learning new creative skills including jewelry making and reupholstery. I enjoy the challenge of sudoku and crosswords; I have a difficult relationship with sugar, and continuing to stock a wardrobe of clothes for a life I don’t have. Thrifting is a passion – I love a bargain. I’m a glass half full human, and I think this is an easier way to be tucked away in New Zealand. I’m also an avid reader.

Though part time I am flexible to meet the needs of our global business.