About Coaching

What is coaching?

The International Coach Federation (ICF) defines coaching as:


“Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential….Coaches honour the client as the expert in his or her life and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole”.


I see coaching as a collaborative and inspiring process to encourage self-discovery, stimulate client-generated solutions and strategies whilst holding the client responsible and accountable.


Whilst I take a coaching approach, I'm also able to draw on my extensive business and leadership experience where a more directive or mentoring style is needed - I won't sit there waiting unnecessarily if we can get there faster!

What kinds of issues can be tackled?

The agenda is always client driven and can evolve over time. Some examples of topics that might arise include:

 

  • Creating a confidential space to explore a difficult situation

  • Building self-confidence and maximising ‘leadership presence’

  • Understanding leadership style and how to develop or flex it

  • Career planning or transition, including starting in a new role


  • Stakeholder management – how to influence and gain buy-in

  • Developing high performing teams

  • Performing effectively under pressure including work / life balance

  • Dealing with complex or challenging relationships

  • Being “stuck” or unsure of how to move forward

How do we start?

The first step is a free Strategy call to explore what your challenges and goals are, how I might be able to assist you and whether there's a good fit between us.

Choosing the right coach for you is critical - I'm not in the commodity business and I only take on clients who are committed, I'm able to connect with and who I genuinely believe I can do my best work for.

I would encourage you to follow the advice of the International Coaching Federation and be discerning in your choice of coach.  One way of doing that is to talk to 1 or 2 alternative coaches before you decide if I'm right for you.

What can you expect from me?

I’ll focus solely on your situation with the kind of attention and commitment that you rarely experience anywhere else. I’ll listen to you, with a genuine curiosity to understand who you are, what you think and how you generally experience the world. 

I’ll reflect back to you, with the kind of objective assessment and challenge that helps you create your own clarity.  

Creating a safe and comfortable environment for our coaching conversations is essential. 

I coach online using Zoom so can reach you wherever you are.  I'm based in South London and when I coach face-to-face it's usually in and around London. 

Coaching sessions usually last about 90-120 minutes depending on what we've agreed and what we're working on.

How much does it cost?

Hiring an experienced and qualified Executive Coach is an investment in your most precious resource, you!  Packages are individually designed based on your specific need - "one size does not fit all".  

My most popular package is for 6 x 2 hour sessions delivered online or face-to-face in the London area.  My typical corporate rate is £4,500 which includes a free Strategy Session, follow-up and unlimited phone & email support in between sessions (within reason!).  

I offer discounts for clients paying privately.  I also coach on a selective pro-bono basis.

What can be expected from you?

You’ll need to be open to the potential of coaching which means contributing to the conversations honestly and openly.  

You’ll also need to take your own notes where appropriate and keep any agreements and actions you make during the sessions. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the style of the coaching and together we’ll agree how to approach such areas as challenge and boundaries.  

Where a sponsor is involved, we’ll ensure there is sufficient alignment on the key coaching objectives and the support required for success as well as how to update on progress; usually the client updating the sponsor between sessions. 

Part of the process is to ensure that we’re working in a way that works effectively and appropriately for you so we’ll check-in at each session to see what’s working and where we can make more progress, or do things differently.

Confidentiality

The strength and power of coaching relates directly to the level of openness and trust in the relationship. What we discuss will be confidential unless it needs to be disclosed by law or because of organisational guidelines or because it may provide a risk to yourself or to another. 

In the unlikely event that this situation may arise, we’ll discuss what actions we need to take.