My Approach

My coaching approach is influenced by my extensive real-life experience of being in senior, decision-making roles, often under intense scrutiny.

Overall, I believe in coaching being goal oriented; each session has a purpose. I try hard to be non-directive. I share my experiences when appropriate, but I don’t tell you what to do; your situation is unique, and you need to fully own any decision you make.

I have also found there are some specific elements that make coaching for people who are under scrutiny more effective.

• Confidential. What’s said in coaching stays there, even when I am hired by your organisation. You need to be able to say whatever is on your mind. Any internal feedback, on progress against objectives for example, should be given by you, with me present if we feel that is appropriate.
• Containing. This is a technical term sometimes defined as “the processing of thoughts derived from lived emotional experience”. Our feelings affect our thoughts. The audience can look bigger or smaller than they really are. I use careful listening, thoughtful summarising and open questions to remove the distortions and to bring you back to as close to reality as possible.
• Challenging. Sometimes the undistorted reality is still tough to look at. I don’t judge; that is the last thing someone under scrutiny needs, but I do challenge and confront. The important thing is that we are honest with ourselves. A confidential, containing, coaching session is the place to do that.
• Caring. I have been there. I know what it’s like, both the good and the bad. This makes it much easier for me to listen, reflect and contain.