Ian McDermott

Ian McDermott has dedicated his life to giving people the tools to deal with the challenges they face and the necessary skills to create their own solutions

He does this both personally and professionally with individuals, with teams and with organisations.

Much of his time is spent advising senior leaders worldwide and coaching the next generation to be innovative leaders. However, he also continues to work with individuals.

The Founder of International Teaching Seminars (ITS) Ian has worked with hundreds of organizations and thousands of people. Based in the UK and the US, he has a global perspective working with international companies focusing on Leadership, Collaboration, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Risk. From practical experience he knows what it takes to run a long-term successful business: International Teaching Seminars celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2022.

The man who bought NLP and coaching together Ian is a thought leader in the field of leadership, innovation and collaboration. A prolific author, his books have been translated into 20 languages. They include The Art of Systems Thinking, The NLP Coach, and The Coaching Bible. His most recent is The Collaborative Leader: The Ultimate Leadership Challenge.

Ian is an Honorary Fellow of Exeter University Business School where his focus is on entrepreneurship and innovation. He is Dean of Innovation & Learning for the Purposeful Planning Institute in the US and his work is featured in the Open University’s MBA course ‘Creativity, Innovation and Change’. Ian is also External Faculty at Henley Business School and a co-creator of the Henley MSc. in Coaching and Behavioural Change.

Ian is a UKCP accredited psychotherapist and a Diplomate in Professional Coaching of the International Academy of Behavioural Medicine, Counselling and Psychotherapy. He has pioneered Leadership and Innovation Coaching and has literally trained a generation of coaches. He was described by the Independent as ‘the coaches’ coach”. He is a member of the Association for Coaching’s Global Advisory Panel and is AC Global Ambassador for Innovation and Collaboration.

Ian’s coaching also reaches into working with high net worth families and their advisors, focusing on legacy training and succession planning.

With his colleague Professor Patricia Riddell he has pioneered making the latest practical applications of work in the neurosciences available to people from all walks of life. Together they have created a new international benchmark in Applied Neuroscience certification trainings. These are delivered through ITS.

Ian’s primary focus is on delivering practical ‘how-tos’ to ensure learning and change, innovation and collaboration really happen. That’s why he set up International Teaching Seminars.

Testimonials

“Somebody said that we are thrown into life without a handbook, well Ian, through ITS, has written one. I have had clients say that I have made it possible for them to live their dream, or, even, that I saved their life – in fact, I was merely the conduit. I am merely standing on the shoulders of giants, and those giants are Ian, his cadre of world-class facilitators and ITS as an organisation of outstanding integrity and calibre. Thank you.”

Paul Miller – Director of the Ludic Group Global Coaching Faculty

I met Ian McDermott as a trainer, when I attended quite a few short courses at ITS and the Practitioner in Applied Neuroscience. Ian and Patricia Riddell offer in their course in Applied Neuroscience the possibility to explore such a fascinating discipline as neuroscience in a tailor-made approach cut on practice, where tools and knowledge are shared in order to be put into practice in the professional and personal lives of the participants. I also recognize in Ian humility, passion and contagious curiosity for his job, besides his amazing ability to ask provocative and challenging questions.

Roberta Pagliarulo - Co founder and MCC Coach at InnerQ 

I attended a one day taster day with ITS in London which was hosted by Ian McDermott. I met people from several European country's and different business backgrounds that were also attending. No hard sell or pressure. I decided to commit to the Practitioner Programme . I found this to be of great personal value and a wonderful learning experience. I eagerly invested in the following Masters and Coaching Programmes. Learning with Ian is a must. The best personal investment I have ever made. Thank you Ian.

David Windsor - NLP Coach

"As you start to walk on the way, the way appears” I’m borrowing Rumi’s words to endorse Ian McDermott and ITS leadership in training and coaching.
Working with you has truly taken me on an inspirational and transformational discovery journey. I have become conscious of how I can make a difference in my life and the life of others and it’s a joy to bring this into play by intentionally choosing where to put my attention and why, what for.
As a result, I am living more fully, purposefully, curiously and healthily. I am experiencing having agency over my thoughts, emotions and behaviours and it’s a pleasure helping others doing the same.
Thank you for the simplicity and clarity of the tools you share, the deep conversations and practical applications of working with our amazing brain in being more flexible and creative.
‘How’ you Ian and the ITS team lead us through this experiential learning with integrity, respect, credibility and humility is the difference that makes the difference.
And the journey continues…

Nunzia De Gaetano - Self-employed