What I do
I start each coaching assignment with a blank sheet of paper, it’s about the person I’m coaching’s agenda and not mine. That said, it is important to make sure that we are well suited to working with each other. I’m not the right coach for everyone and I’m happy to point you towards a more appropriate coach if that is what will provide the best possible outcome.
We also need to agree the objectives, time frame and frequency for the coaching assignment. This contracting conversation might be with the individual alone, or involve their manager or other stakeholder. If someone else is involved, we agree any requirements for reporting and feedback. The content and direction of the coaching conversations are completely confidential between me and the person I am working with. It’s a two way process which is built on mutual respect and trust.
Coaching is about helping you to find solutions rather than giving you the answers.
It’s not about telling you what to do and is not generally about you learning new skills or knowledge.
Coaching is not the same as counselling or therapy. I use a wide range of coaching techniques and activities to facilitate self-assessment or encourage reflection, but I won’t stray into areas in which I’m not qualified.
Coaching is not about creating a long-term dependency; it is usually a defined time period of typically a number of months. It has a defined purpose, beginning and end.
Career and Transition Coaching can be hugely valuable to both the individual and their organisation. It can:
support the induction of a new person into an organisation or following promotion
develop alignment of behaviours throughout a top team
accelerate personal and professional development
improve strategic thinking and approaches
Providing coaching can also help to retain high performing employees whose loss could well be a competitor’s gain. Supporting people through family leave, for example, can often result in parents returning to work motivated and prepared to face new challenges having had the opportunity to plan for a positive return to work.
“I found my executive career coaching with Julia incredibly powerful. Without ever offering solutions, Julia helped me move through my journey of leaving a firm, understanding my career goals and aspirations and the stages of CV writing, LinkedIn profile updates, pitching cover letters, interview preparation and getting ready to join a new firm.