My Coaching Journey…

I now have a post-graduate qualification in executive coaching (I didn't tell them I didn't have a degree) and I'm lighter by 100,000 words (small ones repeated often).

Workwise, ignoring the first twenty-five years of my life, I've been a business development director in a FTSE 100 media company and a director of partnerships and innovation in the charity sector. On paper the CV is okay. However, since training to become a coach, I look back and think I've made all the mistakes going!

I've certainly not been someone who's always had a coaching style as a manager - in fact, quite often, the opposite.  Have I been poor at giving feedback up, down and sideways? For sure. Am I someone who has had a fixed mind-set and stayed within a comfort zone? Absolutely.

I have though always been interested in what makes a high performing team as well as the individuals within them - curious about what they eat and drink; their exercise and training programmes, routines, behaviours and habits.

When I was at school we weren't taught about having a growth mindset, (unlike both of my daughters who were, but sadly yawn and roll their eyes whenever I mention it). I came to it first by setting physical challenges. When I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes about twenty years ago I wanted to prove my body could still work, so I ran marathons, triathlons and got very into swimming.

There comes a point too when I think you can see the link to what you do outside of work to what you do in it (or perhaps the other way round). If you are able to show grit, self-discipline and determination in one part of your life, then why not in another? And what are the factors that need to be addressed to create an environment for you to thrive?

This brought me to coaching - focussing on the inside-and-outside-of-work person. It's also brought me into contact with some very smart people - including other coaches who have been incredibly supportive and experts in the fields of physiology, neuroscience, exercise, yoga, creativity and culture who have been happy to share their expertise and insight to help me develop.

And what I love about coaching is that I get to ask the questions. I'm much, much happier in the interviewer's chair rather than talking about myself (I know!) - asking questions, actively listening and helping people find their own unique answers to the challenges and opportunities they face .....