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Who We Are

EncourageMentors was created by owner Tom Watkins, and Adam Travers Watkins.

Our postal address is: EncourageMentors, 2 Lucas Lane, Christchurch 8022 New Zealand. See links below for other contact details.

We are proudly associated with skilled professionals drawn from various backgrounds in which they have reputations for excellence: currently these Associates are Sally Anderson and Simon Jones. Their links with EncourageMentors ensure an extraordinarily rich resource of skills and experience.

Although they contribute significantly to practical business matters, Associates are not part-owners, directors or employees of EncourageMentors. They are self-employed professionals who link their owner-operated business to ours for mutual benefit. They are committed to principles and ethics similar to those of EncourageMentors but each has their own Terms and Conditions.

Associate opportunities

EncourageMentors maintains professional alliances with a number of experienced mentors and coaches based in various cities, through a Scheme of Association. We are always interested in expanding the range and location of these relationships.

If you are a professional coach or mentor, Association with EncourageMentors may offer inexpensive opportunities to enhance the services you currently offer your clients, promote your own business and significantly expand your current client base - without in any way limiting the scope of your present business activities.

If you are considering a change of business or of business form, this may present you a way of transitioning inexpensively and with considerable flexibility. Talk with Tom, to discuss this.

Talk to us

You may discuss your mentoring interests and needs with any one of us. If you have already selected the option of mentoring, please make your own choice of Mentor. Click on the name or photo of the Mentor you select, to make contact. We will be pleased to hear from you.

Tom Watkins

Tom Watkins

Kathy Catton

Kathy Catton

Sally Anderson

Sally Anderson

Simon Jones

Simon Jones

Together, we are the EncourageMentors Group.

Inquiries about EncourageMentors itself should be directed to Tom Watkins.

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Tom Watkins, Mentor (Owner/Director of EncourageMentors)

Tel: +64 3 332 6628       Mobile: (NZ) 0274 44 2520
E: Tom@EncourageMentors.com

Since 1978 Tom Watkins has specialised in people-management, leadership and facilitation practices, assisting the transfer of practical skills and processes to workplaces that include Shell NZ, Lion Nathan, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Shell Chemicals Australia, The New Zealand Treasury, South Auckland Health, Western Bay Health, Health Waikato, Phillips New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Te Puni Kokiri, NZ Lotteries Commission, the Otago District Health Board, several New Zealand schools and various Crown Research Institutes.

He has studied in the USA with the Tom Peters Group and in Australia with The Australasian Institute of Socio-Analysis.

Tom has owned a number of professional training and consultancy business, coached several other consultant trainers and facilitators into successful international careers, and authored a range of well-respected publications:

  • Hear and Be Heard - The Heart of Dialogue
  • Encouraging Performance: Coaching, Feedback and Problem Solving
  • Encouraging Meetings
  • Encouraging Teams
  • Plan, Lead and Manage the Plan

Tom's work is driven by his interest in helping people change systems within and around them to release energy for progress. At different times this has focused on police training, community development, interpersonal relationships, co-counseling, training trainers, changing organisational culture, teams, managers, leaders, men's groups, transition management, life-planning, strategic planning, and mentoring. He has owned and managed several consulting businesses.

A constant thread has been his belief in the need for "right" relationships in which the parties experience themselves as inter-connected, respected for their humanity, treated justly and helped to a realisation of purpose and potential. The essential basis for this, he believes, is a "right" relationship with the self. Tom is widely respected for his compassion for and empathy with others' challenges, and for his ability to transform common sense into common practice. Clients report significant and usefully long-lasting life changes resulting from his work.

Of himself, Tom says:

"My family of origin was heavily influenced by mildly eccentric Spaniards, musically melodramatic Welsh and the unforgiving attitudes of Victorianism. Many of my early experiences with formal education, employment and relationships lacked the depth of goodwill, support and guidance necessary for optimal growth. Without the ability to influence them, I found these crises tough, until I realised how much I could learn by studying them. The resulting insights - especially into the conditions under which relationships thrive, stagnate or disintegrate - have been pivotal to my work ever since.

"At various times in my career, informal mentors offered to help me articulate my dreams and supported me to realise them.

"This encouragement set me on a journey of self-discovery that has led to splendidly fulfilling work and the desire to offer similar support to others. I now engage a regular mentor, to ensure I continue to distil meaning from my experience.

"The continuing journey is either fun or learning and sometimes, miraculously, it is both at the same time! These days, whenever I am tempted to become Very Serious about any of this, laughter eventually and mercifully intervenes. I recommend the Scenic Route."


When at home, Tom lives on the edge of Banks Peninsula, New Zealand where he fiddles with the garden.

Click here to talk with Tom.

Typical of client comments about Tom's work are these:

"Tom Watkins is a highly professional mentor who functions from a well-cemented value base. His consummate integrity and personal conduct led to a trusting relationship, essential for a successful mentor/client rapport."
Senior Manager, New Zealand

"He has exceptional listening skills, is amazingly perceptive and has a style that instils trust and confidence."
Senior Executive, New Zealand

"Tom Watkins has walked with me through adversity, encouraged me to explore opportunities, taught me the skills to coach and lead, and been a trusted advisor and mentor for much of my working life. Tom brings the much needed 'soul' to management and leadership."
CEO, New Zealand

"Tom is a rare gem, a person who has a wide experience of the technical skills and attributes required in senior management who has also mastered the art of management-with-heart."
General Manager, New Zealand

"There are mentors and then there are those who can wipe away the dust from doors to pathways we might have missed. Tom knows just where those doors are hidden. I've learned great insights into plans and strategies to grow my business."
Writer and Community Consultant, Sacramento, CA - USA

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Kathy Catton, HR and Training Professional, Executive Coach (Associate of EncourageMentors)

Director, Mighty Knowledge International Ltd

Tel: (NZ) 021 0650959
E: Kathy@EncourageMentors.com

Kathy is an HR and Training Professional who loves nothing more than supporting people's growth! She graduated with a French and German degree in the UK and has since worked in various corporate organisations in the UK, Europe and New Zealand, helping individuals, teams and organisations to reach their potential. She specialises in developing managers' skills to create greater levels of motivation, performance and productivity in their teams. She has coached senior executives, designed and delivered management development programmes, project-managed staff and HR aspects of large-scale change interventions and facilitated numerous team-building events.

She began her HR career on the graduate programme with The Boots Company. Her corporate experience includes Allianz Insurance, Halfords Ltd, Canon (UK) Ltd and Westpac (NZ) Ltd. Some of the work she has recently been involved in includes:

  • The design and delivery of a change management intervention for staff with the operational division of a large multinational.

  • The design and delivery of a Management Development programme for a multinational company, aimed at all first line managers and Team Leaders. Kathy also trained other trainers to deliver this programme.

  • Co-leading and co-facilitating a Leadership Development programme aimed at senior managers with an emphasis on self-understanding and strategic leadership. Kathy acted as ongoing coach for programme participants.

  • The design of a workshop focusing on Corporate and Social Responsibility within a London museum. The programme was later delivered to all Green Ministers within the Houses of Parliament.

  • The design, delivery and evaluation of management development workshops on (for example) coaching, HR planning, disciplinary procedures, redundancy procedures, managing stress, [etc.] within retail organisations.

Kathy is a qualified user of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator tool, OPQ and 16PF personality tools. She uses these and a range of aptitude tests, to support the coaching process. In her work with clients she distinguishes herself as an HR partner, always seeking to first understand what the business wants to deliver for its customers before addressing the people agenda. Through running her own business, she appreciates that any consultancy she offers must have practical application and a return on investment.

Kathy emigrated to Christchurch from the UK in March 2006 and feels privileged to live in such a beautiful country. She is a regular writer for Her Business magazine. Kathy and her husband Mike are also Directors of Get Me Fit Ltd, a business specialising in outdoor fitness and using training programmes proven to have sustainable results.

Typical comments about Kathy's work include:

"Kathy's humour and enthusiasm made the workshop amazing. Her knowledge of this topic and her ability to transfer this into practical situations is excellent." Manager, New Zealand

"Kathy ran a very clear and informative session around MBTI and the relevance in our day to day interactions with each other and our wider teams. As a team we gained much understanding of our own and the team's personality, which has been applied to our workings and understanding of each other as we build our high performing team culture." Senior Manager, New Zealand

Click here to talk with Kathy.

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Sally Anderson, Life Coach and Professional Mentor (Associate of EncourageMentors)

Dip Tchg . Dip BS . Dip Corp Mgt . Dip Life Coaching
Tel: +64 3 328 7474       Mobile: (NZ) 027 688 5551
E: Sally@EncourageMentors.com

"I often hear variations of this human dilemma: 'I want to change, but I don't know how. I'm stuck. I know things aren't quite right but I just don't know what to do.'

"I work to support people through these occasions. As a life coach, professional mentor, management consultant and trainer/facilitator, I have learned that when faced with change the natural tendency for most is to try and resist it. Change often seems to be forced upon us by circumstances or other people's changes, and can therefore be difficult to accept.

"By understanding the process of change in our lives and the benefits of co-operating with it, we can step into greater levels of aliveness, creativity, happiness and success, both in the workplace and at home.

"Every organisation should have strong connections with 'outside' support from professionals whose business is providing guided, systematic self-development.

"All staff deserve this level and quality of support. Better functioning, more fully-realised and happier individuals are better functioning members of the team and the organisation."

Other strongly-held beliefs underlie Sally's interest in and approach to professional mentoring:

  • Personal change at an individual level is a prerequisite of workplace performance improvement.
  • Real and lasting workplace change requires a more holistic approach to growth and development than is conventionally provided by career path processes, job training or performance management systems.
  • The presenting issue is usually not the real issue. Whatever organisation change is desired eventually requires someone (and often many people) to change.
  • No individual change "at work" is made in isolation from changes in "personal life". The different facets of our lives are inter-connected.
  • Personal change invariably involves taking an honest look at oneself, exploring beliefs and habits, then making choices that will support rather than limit our growth and development.
  • The process of change can be tough, even painful, and is more likely to succeed when supported by a skilful and trusted advisor able to facilitate progress.

Of herself, Sally says:

"I am passionate about life and living in the moment! I love the outdoors - especially the hills, mountains, rivers and beautiful scenery this country is blessed with - running, walking, cycling and kayaking.

"My personal philosophy is based on living lovingly and creating the relationships we dream of. This is completely within the power of each and every one of us. What stops us is our limiting beliefs, behaviours, thought patterns and fears. I am committed to making a contribution and a positive difference to others' lives through my work.

Typical comments about Sally's work include:

" . . . You've helped me to discover my passion and purpose in life, and the confidence and drive to pursue it."
Anthony, Teacher, Christchurch

". . . I hoped there was a 'magic formula' that would answer all my questions and resolve all my challenges . . . you helped me realize I was the one with the answers."
Richard, Manager, Insurance, UK

"The life coaching service I received was excellent - empathetic, supportive and encouraging. I have gained better communication skills . . . by being more aware of my values and finding confidence in myself again."
Natasha, Mother, Christchurch

". . . Great to help me become aware of my thought patterns and beliefs that no longer serve me. A great help to make me a stronger and more positive person!"
Leana, Graphic Artist, Christchurch

". . . I enjoyed the challenges you put to me and acknowledge the value of being encouraged to search for answers within myself. While this process was sometimes painful it was also very empowering."
Mo, Manager, Retail, Christchurch

Click here to talk with Sally.

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Simon Jones, Professional Mentor, Coach and Group Facilitator (Associate of EncourageMentors)

Dip. Social Work, Member NZ Assn. Of Counsellors
E: Simon@EncourageMentors.com

Simon Jones has worked in personal and professional development with individuals, families, groups and teams since the late 1980's and now works as a counsellor, mentor and supervisor, coach, organisational consultant and group educator. He leads and facilitates regular weekend courses for men, and mixed gender workshops co-facilitated with his wife Carol.

The ultimate aim of his work with people is to enable them to maximise their potential so they can experience greater productivity, vitality, creativity and joy in their work and lives.

His approach is based on a number of simple but important principles, including the need to:

  • Clarify one's own purpose, direction and vision and their relationship to one's core values.
  • Develop a strong integrated relationship with one's self.
  • Practice sound values, personal integrity and high self-esteem as part of realising one's unique purpose and potential.
  • Learn to let go of old, self-limiting beliefs and unhelpful interpersonal behaviour patterns.
  • Clarify and develop the attitudes, competencies and confidence required to achieve goals.
  • Use tried and trustworthy principles and processes.
  • Maintain mutual respect whilst working constructively with conflict.
  • Build strong healthy personal and professional relationships with others.

Simon lives by the beach in Christchurch, New Zealand with his wife, children and two exuberant Jack-Russell dogs. His career has involved establishing and managing a number of successful business ventures and non-profit community/social service organisations, always working collaboratively with others. In the process he has learned how people can work together in groups so that synergy and productivity can be enhanced, and especially how to work positively and creatively with the inevitable conflicts that occur.

About himself, Simon says: "As a young adult I was strongly influenced by the civil-rights, anti-war and feminist movements. I saw that people are capable of great creativity and innovation but that this capacity is too often either left undeveloped or not used constructively. I noticed, however that some inspirational teachers and leaders believed we can become more self-aware, creative and responsible people. From then on I was committed to my own personal development, and eventually to assist others with theirs.

"A special area of interest for me has been working with the particular issues and difficulties that men face. In the early 90's I became aware of some of the restrictive 'super-hero' roles I took on as a young man, such as Provider, Protector, Mister Fix-it, and Macho Man. Gradually I learnt a new way of being a man that incorporated both the head and heart. I learned to give support to and receive support from other men. This is a continuing area of interest for me, although of course, I work with people of any gender, age, ethnicity or orientation.

"I love working and playing with others in a collaborative spirit of mutual inquiry, honesty, co-operation and good humour. I am always delighted when I see people discover hitherto unknown and untapped reservoirs of knowledge, spontaneity and creativity."

What his clients say:

"Your work with me has certainly changed my life! I really appreciated your energy and creativity, along with your empathy, affectionate concern and total attention. Your methods go beyond simply talking about issues, which enabled me to integrate my heart with my mind."
David, Christchurch, NZ.

"Simon's integrity, perception, sincerity and guidance have helped me to unearth my core values and learn better relationship skills. I now have new love of life and a more realistic understanding of myself and human nature in general."
Margaret, Christchurch, NZ

". . .I appreciated Simon's honesty, realness and continual encouragement in my personal and professional development. His great variety of work and life experience added depth and richness to his work with me."
Paul, Nelson, NZ.

Click here to talk with Simon.

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EncourageMentors Professional Mentoring Group
2 Lucas Lane, Christchurch 8022 New Zealand
Tel: +64 3 332 6628
E: office@EncourageMentors.com

© EncourageMentors 2005. All rights reserved.