“A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

~ William Shedd

My coaching is driven by a desire to help clients understand more about how we think, feel, and behave, and how we use that understanding to make better choices and further our development, contributing to our sense of identity – in professional and personal domains. My methods draw on evidence-based practices, primarily structured around cognitive-behavioural, solution-focused, and positive-psychology frameworks.

Coaching programme design and delivery for individuals, groups, and institutional cohorts. For example:

• Career and professional development
• Developing your authentic researcher identity
• Executive coaching for research leaders
• Support for staff in restructured working groups
• 360° feedback

The premise of coaching

You might not be able to change the world, but if you change how you operate in your world, your world will change around you. You might not be able to change other people, but if you change the way you connect with them, they may respond differently, and you can transform your relationships. You can do it on your own. But you might do it faster, with less stress, and with more impact if you have the right support.

That’s where I come in.

Coaching is a conversation, or series of conversations that support you in exploring, defining and progressing your development goals. I provide the space and frameworks for you to examine the topics you bring to the sessions; to challenge and encourage you to set objectives and take action towards them. Coaching conversations occur in a confidential, safe space.

Because coaching is non-directive,  I  actively support you to discover your own solutions, and set your own goals. I do this by listening, clarifying, reflecting back, asking questions and challenging you to experiment, all in service of supporting your progress towards your goals.

The responsibility for making decisions and taking actions (and equally valid, in choosing not to take action) lies with you. I provide you with the tools, support and structure to do this in the way that works best for you. By the end of your coaching programme with me, you will have learned how to use and adapt those tools, and take the lead in your own self-coaching in the future.

I am your thinking-partner

• I  believe in you, even especially when you don’t believe in yourself.
• I am impartial, yet I’m always on your team. I have no vested interest in what you choose to do or how, but I celebrate alongside you when you succeed.
• I remind you to explore the terrain off the beaten track, rather than charge ahead on the path well-trodden by others.
• I spot the stories you tell yourself that might be limiting your progress, and help you re-write them into beliefs that power your development.
• I listen to you deeply and with full presence. I offer you alternative perspectives on your situation, challenges, and options.
• I won’t lie to you, directly or by omission. This means I may sometimes say things you don’t want to hear.
• I point out out patterns in your thinking and behaviour that might be holding you back.
• Nothing great happens inside comfort zones, and challenge without support is stressful. So I will challenge you, and support you in challenging yourself.
• I enable you to realise that your thoughts, behaviours and feelings are selective, and empower you to make different choices when you want to.
• I remind you that your courage bucket is full, when you are searching for droplets at the bottom of your confidence bucket.
• I am your companion on your development journey: we are shoulder-to-shoulder.

And you?

• You want to create your own opportunities, rather than wait for them to show up.
• You are ready to be candid about your strengths, perspectives, and challenges.
• You are open to discovering new directions
• You are prepared to challenge your habitual thinking patterns.
• You might be at a crossroads in your professional life, and are unsure how to make your decision.
• You suspect  you may have more personal resources than you thought, and are prepared to experiment with tapping into them.
• Your circumstances might be changing around you, and you want to take more control over what happens next.
• You may be harbouring a secret dream or ambition, and you’ve run out of excuses for keeping it hostage on your someday/maybe list.
• You are committed to taking ownership of your development.

If you’re ready to engage in a coaching partnership, connect with me and let’s explore whether we might be a good fit.

What is not covered?

Coaching is not a substitute for counselling, therapy, mental health care, nor for advice that may be construed as medical, clinical, or legal.
In the event of a topic of discussion being beyond the boundaries of either the coach’s expertise or the coaching relationship framework, your coach will suggest a referral, and/or support you in seeking a more appropriate avenue of professional support.

Ethical considerations

I adhere to the following codes of ethics:

• • British Psychological Society’s Code of Ethics and Conduct (2018)
    https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/bps-code-ethics-and-conduct
  • International Society for Coaching Psychology’s Code of Ethics (2019)
    https://www.isfcp.info/ethics/
  • Global Code of Ethics for Coaches, Mentors and Supervisors (2018)
    https://www.emccouncil.org/quality/ethics/