My coaching style and approach
There are many definitions and interpretations of what coaching is and isn’t. I work in accordance with the International Coaching Federation's (ICF) definition. The ICF defines coaching as "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential.” Other definitions inspire and guide me.
I also follow ICF’s Code of Ethics.
I don’t label myself as a coach for a specific area, e.g. career, life or relationships. I am a coach. I am an expert in the coaching process and can work with any topic you present, which is suitable for coaching.
However, I think that my skills can bring the biggest transformation for people who want to know what their purpose is and how to live according to it. These could be a young professional wanting to start their career well and make decisions that will take them to the place they want to be in the future; or a woman in their 30s and 40s, who is trying to manage multiple life roles while discovering and staying true to who she really is, or a woman in her 50s who wants to re-discover what really drives her and make changes accordingly; or someone who wants to build new wellbeing habits, or change careers.
I also help first-time and middle-leaders in charities who want to lead authentically and for the benefit of their people. And charities that want to see a real behavioural change in their teams for higher team effectiveness, better organisational experience, and performance.
To our sessions, I will bring my coaching tools and expertise of the process, and you will bring your expertise of yourself and your situation. Most of all, we both come as humans - with our experience, background and emotions.
I believe that presence, attention and listening are the most powerful tools enabling us all to think well and clearly, and as a result progress with changes.
In the overall relationship, and in each session, we will work towards your goals, which might change during our time together. What we do in the sessions is only part of your journey, and you will add other elements to it as you need, e.g. therapy, mentoring, journalling, and actions you commit to.
Everything covered in our sessions is confidential, unless I believe you or someone else might be at risk of harm, I have safeguarding concerns or think that there might be illegal activities involved.
Based on the ICF’s definition, and in my experience, partnership is key in coaching.
We are both equal in this working relationship - neither of us is better, or higher in any hierarchy. I’m not a master, and you’re not a student. We are partners working together to help you navigate dilemmas, plans, and decisions, and to support your growth and maximise your potential.
The bedrock of any partnership is: mutual trust, respect, psychological safety, commitment, no judgment, transparency and honesty, learning from each other, clear communication and ability to give feedback, working according to agreed terms of the partnership and ability to end well when the time comes. These are things we ensure together that are present in the coaching relationship.
Some of the places I draw my coaching inspiration from are: “Simplifying Coaching” by Claire Pedrick
“Time to Think” by Nancy Kline.