ABOUT
Spark unlimited & Marlies
Why do we do what we do? What gets in our way? And what helps us do things differently?
These questions fascinate me. And they're at the heart of my work with leaders and their teams.
With Spark Unlimited, I help teams work better together and leaders become better at leading people.
MEET MARLIES
Hi, I'm Marlies Butterworth, proud founder of Spark Unlimited.
My leadership journey started in my early twenties, when I found myself managing a factory team of 29 people. That was quite the learning curve! Since then, I've spent 15 years working in large international organisations, leading all sorts of teams. From that first factory crew to international teams managing multimillion-pound projects. I've experienced first-hand what makes teams tick, what gets in their way and how much difference a good (or bad!) leader can make.
One thing I've learnt (read: have been guilty of) along the way is that being a "people person" doesn't automatically make you a good leader. You need to take ownership of your role, develop the skills to lead and motivate people and sometimes (often!) get out of your own way.
What am I like to work with?
Practical, direct and energetic, with a healthy dose of humour. I like to challenge people's thinking, get everyone involved and have some fun along the way. Don't expect to sit back and watch endless PowerPoint slides!
I want people to enjoy our sessions, gain new insights and walk away with something useful. And most importantly, actually do something differently afterwards.
And outside work?
I'm originally from the Netherlands but moved to the UK after meeting an Englishman worth marrying. We now have three teenage boys, which means plenty of opportunities to practise my leadership, negotiation and conflict management skills. With varying degrees of success.
your leadership matters
I've seen first-hand how much difference a leader can make to a team. For better or worse.
You can invest in team development, improve communication and agree on how to work together. But if the person leading the team doesn't change their behaviour, there's only so far you'll get.
Being a good leader isn't just about knowing what to do. It's also about recognising what's getting in your way. The need to control everything, wanting to keep everyone happy, perfectionism or simply not trusting yourself enough.
That's why I work with both leaders and their teams. Developing practical skills, challenging unhelpful patterns and helping people actually do things differently.
CONTACT
Spark unlimited is based in Reading, UK (close to London). Marlies operates all over Europe, online or face-to-face. In Dutch or English.
Let's see if there's a spark! Call, text or e-mail:
+44 (0)7812 180719
