Question 1

What is Discretionary Efforts?

Accepted Answer

Discretionary Efforts is a New Zealand-based online leadership training and coaching company founded by Ali McCormick and Rachel Hillyer. We help established leaders and business owners resolve people issues that are actively draining their energy and slowing their team's performance. Our programmes sit between traditional training and executive coaching, combining live online training with group coaching to create immediate, lasting behaviour change.

Question 2

Where are you based and who do you work with?

Accepted Answer

We are based in New Zealand and work primarily with leaders and business owners across New Zealand and Australia. All programmes are delivered live online, so location is not a barrier. Our clients are typically SME leaders in people-heavy workplaces, professional services firms, operational businesses, owner-led companies, where communication strain and conflict are affecting performance.

Question 3

What qualifications do Ali and Rachel hold?

Accepted Answer

Ali McCormick holds: a Professional Certified Coach credential (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF); a Master's in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania; a Certificate in Education (Cert.Ed.); and qualifications in speech-language therapy. She is a Master Accredited Coach with the Universal Coaching Alliance (UCA), serves as Aotearoa New Zealand Hub Leader for UCA, and leads a UCA and ICF-accredited coach training programme for health and education professionals.

Rachel Hillyer is an Experienced Executive and Director with over 25 years of experience in leading teams, delivering business outcomes, growth organisational change and strategy  Rachel helps to ensure that each shift in human behaviour connects directly to business outcomes and commercial goals.

Question 4

What research and frameworks underpin your programmes?

Accepted Answer

Our programmes draw on: Applied Positive Psychology (University of Pennsylvania MAPP programme); the Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence model; VIA Character Strengths; Gallup engagement and strengths research; Brené Brown's work on psychological safety and vulnerability in leadership; cognitive behavioural frameworks for managing thinking traps; and communication neuroscience. All content is evidence-based and applied to real workplace situations, not theoretical or trend-driven.

Question 5

What if I'm not sure which programme is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Start with a free Mini Masterclass. You'll meet Ali and Rachel, experience how we work, and get a sense of whether our approach is the right fit, with zero obligation. Alternatively, contact us directly and we'll help you work out which programme best matches your current situation.

Question 6

Do I need to be a leader or manage a team to benefit from this?

Accepted Answer

Not at all.

Most of the friction in workplaces doesn't sit with one person, it sits in the space between people. How conversations land and how assumptions quietly build. This creates avoidance until it can't be anymore.  You don't need to be a leader of a team for any of that to affect you.

Whether you're leading a team or simply part of one, the way you show up in conversations, under pressure, in conflict, when things feel stuck, shapes what's possible around you. Individual behaviour change is often what unlocks team performance. Many of our course participants are working in teams not necessarily leading them.   If you want clearer conversations, fewer misunderstandings, and less energy wasted on tension that goes nowhere, this work is for you.

Question 7

Do you work with organisations or individuals?

Accepted Answer

Both. Individuals can self-enrol in any programme. Organisations can enrol multiple people, and in some cases, having several team members complete the same programme together can accelerate change. Contact us to discuss the best approach for your organisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Discretionary Efforts?

Where are you based and who do you work with?

What qualifications do Ali and Rachel hold?

What research and frameworks underpin your programmes?

What if I'm not sure which programme is right for me?

Do I need to be a leader or manage a team to benefit from this?

Do you work with organisations or individuals?

Our Online Courses

Build Positive Inclusive Teams

Learn How to Manage Conflict

Develop Effective Communication Skills

Not ready for a full programme?

Join our FREE 45-Minute Mini Masterclass

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