öka
(Swedish Origin) Verb
Grow, increase, add, boost, rise, step up, accrue, augment, supplement, gain.
Our mission
As workplace culture specialists, we aim to connect people with their purpose, to create fulfilment, meaning and happiness at work.
From our own experience, the world of work is often seen as something to be endured with a mind-set of survival until it’s time to “clock off” and head home. Surely there must be a better way!
At ÖKA our philosophy is to offer an alternative approach to developing more people-centric and progressive workplace cultures. We do this in alignment with our core principles; Connect, Co-create, Believe.
Connect.
Co-create.
Believe.
What we do
We make a positive impact through supporting, enabling, and facilitating sustainable change. In our current climate the pace of change is unprecedented, and the level of uncertainty and complexity means that interventions of this nature are more important than ever. We understand the importance of encouraging people to bring their whole authentic selves to the workplace.
Collaborative Culture Design
How do we create space to intentionally shape the future and cultures of our organisations and ensure our people are fulfilled and connected to their purpose in the workplace? Our consultancy role provides a fresh pair of experienced eyes and the opportunity to take stock of an organisation’s current performance, productivity, and workplace culture. This helps to identify areas for change, design a new way forward and is underpinned by specialist knowledge, experience, and a core belief that there is a better way.
Leadership Development Programmes
The pace of change in todays’ world asks us to reconsider how we view development.
At ÖKA we specialise in creating bespoke development programmes that ensure organisations can respond to changing conditions and where necessary, adapt the way they operate. We have extensive experience of developing programmes of this nature.
We do not believe in a “one size fits all” approach to undertaking work of this type and we will work collaboratively to co-create clarity, alignment and cohesion in organisations and their people. We recognise that no-one knows your organisation better than you.
By working with ÖKA to create your development programme you will:
have a hands-on approach from a senior and experienced team
have access to our vast bank of best practice, research, and emerging thought leadership
hear learning and experience from other sectors
have a partner to work with you for the longer term and provide ‘compassionate friend’ input throughout the project.
Teams
How do we support teams to be cohesive, purposeful, and happy?
We all have more that we can offer and when we are happier, we achieve more. As your partner we bring a great degree of insight and knowledge to shape your thinking and enable the development of high performing teams. We understand your unique challenges.
Society has entered a significant period of disruptive and fast paced change. The focus has now shifted to home and hybrid working, so how do organisations maintain a culture of connectivity? At ÖKA we work alongside teams to develop their cohesion, the clarity they have amongst themselves and the culture they wish to create.
Coaching
Where is the time to think, ask questions and challenge our perspectives in our daily lives?
In today’s disruptive digital age, we are connected 24/7. The pressure and demands placed on our time make it harder than ever to really understand ourselves. Given these demands we are huge advocates of exploring what we think, feel, and believe. Might there be a more effective response or approach to the challenges we face?
We have a person-centred approach to coaching that pays attention to our whole life, not just our time at work. We believe that we are all able to realise our potential, both personally and professionally. We all have more that we can offer. With is in mind, we are on a pursuit to enable people to realise their untapped human potential and in doing so live happier and healthier lives. When we are happier, we achieve more. By making work fulfilling and meaningful we can build successful and healthy organisations, with high performing and engaged individuals and teams at their core.
Who we are
Mark Green
Prior to founding ÖKA People, I was the Organisational Effectiveness (OE) leader within Deloitte’s UK Board Advisory Practice. Board Advisory is the only UK Big 4 practice dedicated to working with Boards and Executive teams. The focus over my 5 years was on collaborating and consulting with the public sector to deliver sustainable change and growth for boards, executives, and senior leaders.
Working in Public Sector for 13 years I operated in a range of health and care organisations, from regional and arm’s length bodies, commissioning organisations and integrated health and care providers. I am a leadership and team effectiveness expert, specialising in;
The facilitation of immersive workshops and the design and delivery of bespoke leadership development programmes to improve performance through connection, understanding and shared purpose across teams and organisations.
Sarah Green
After an early career in Executive recruitment with Veredus I went on to spend 11 years in the NHS as Organisational Development Practitioner. My focus during this time was leadership development, team effectiveness, employee engagement and coaching. At ÖKA I now specialise in coaching; individuals, senior leaders & executives and team coaching. How do today’s leaders understand and maximise their impact? How do they meet the many demands on their time, be inspirational and maintain work/life balance?
My philosophy is to focus on the ‘whole person’ rather than simply who we are at work, seeing beyond the job title, to connect people with their purpose.
Partners
We also work with a network of fantastic, diverse, and highly skilled associates from both the private & public sectors. On large scale projects, or wherever specialist input is required, we call on these trusted and experienced colleagues to help shape our bespoke development programmes.
What they say
"A complete revelation"
You have been extremely helpful for me at this challenging time not only because of Covid-19 but also my looming redundancy. You have helped me to understand my own practice and what I need to do differently or better. I have been able to fully reflect on my own position but also my environment and as a result I have much better understanding of what I think it means to be a strategic leader in the NHS. In particular the emphasis you have put on authentic leadership has been a complete revelation to me and although it is still a work in progress, I now understand what I need to address. Prior to the recent interview your advice on how I should approach the interview was perfect, I now know from the interviews I had for that post the advice was overwhelmingly positive. My other observation was that you were very keen for me to set the agenda and work out what I wanted from each session and the targets were always SMART. I only realised after a while how you were very subtle in continuously putting the onus on me to talk and work out the way forward or come to conclusions. In hindsight it was very well done.
Director of Corporate Services, CCG, London
"Challenging, enjoyable, impactful... life-changing!"
I think the coaching has had a big impact on me personally and I’ve really enjoyed our sessions (although challenging at times). What I really liked about your coaching style is that it is very adaptable I struggled with deep personal coaching approach; not so much the introspection (as you know I am very open) but connection to personal purpose. I really appreciate your persistence with me, particularly when I was about to throw the towel in. The big change for me is when you suggested a ‘mirroring approach’ allowing me to talk and you playing it back to me (which you did to great effect). I accepted that the long-established narrative that I had created could be changed by myself. I had set myself a slow ticking countdown to 55 and realised that this was not good for my mental wellbeing. I realised through you playing back to me that I am ambitious. I have stopped thinking about what’s going to happen when I am 55 and am thinking much more about the now. Thanks Mark it’s been challenging, enjoyable but also revealing and impactful and I would go as far as saying life changing by removing my self-imposed barrier to self-reflection.
Corporate Director of Integrated Commissioning, London Borough
"I’ve learned so much, not just professionally but personally too ..."
I felt like we quickly struck up a rapport and felt as though I could trust you, which was important to me. It was helpful how you recognised my learning style, i.e. a reflector, and that I like to go away and digest. Thank you for providing suggestions for articles (Mavis Klein, Deloitte Business Chemistry, books, podcasts etc). These gave me something tangible to work with outside the sessions. The coaching combined theory with an emphasis on then translating the thinking and theory into action.
There were times when it felt challenging and uncomfortable, e.g. when talking about some previous experiences, I now understand how these underpin my values and beliefs. You offered your thoughts, views and advice respectfully. This was done sensitively and you did not present your view as an absolute – when you could quite easily have done so e.g. my confirmation bias!
I really appreciated your flexibility, this allowed the frequency/ timing of sessions to feel appropriate and unrushed. I’ve learned so much, not just professionally but personally too. You are an excellent coach and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to others.
Head of Strategy & Business Planning, NHS Foundation Trust
Enquire to find out more about our innovative, holistic and person-centred approach.
Contact us.
Please get in touch to find out how we can help your business or department run more effectively.
View our privacy policy
