Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to have an understanding of my industry to coach me?

It’s not essential. I’m an expert in listening and in creating an environment in which you can do your best thinking. You are the expert in you and your context. I’ve done great work with people from diverse industries: public, private, third sector; universities, tech start ups, engineering….I do have a particular affinity for working with the Higher Education sector - you can see more about what I do in this space here.

How does confidentiality work?

I believe we can only find our best way through the issues that are on our mind when we feel secure and relaxed. Confidentiality is a key part of that trust relationship. The only situation in which I would break a confidence is with a grounded concern that you are at risk of serious harm to either yourself or another person, or you have broken or expressed intent to break the law. This is set out in our agreement when we begin to work together.

Why do you suggest blocks of 6 sessions?

There’s an arc of discovery in a coaching relationship which loosely covers beginnings, middle and endings. The first couple of sessions we’ll unpack the question you’re interested in exploring; the middle sessions are a deeper dive into what’s going on and alternatives; the endings are about consolidating your learnings into actions.

There’s lots of flex in the way we’ll work together, and it’s rarely linear, so we’ll agree the best way forward for you - and keep checking in at every session that we’re on the right track.

How long is each session?

I hold sessions lasting up to 90 minutes.

How much does coaching cost?

Most of my clients are supported by their workplace to access executive coaching as part of their continuous professional development. You can get a sense of the average cost for both self-funded and organisational executive coaching in this helpful analysis. I also hold back a number of coaching hours each year to offer pro-bono to organisations whose mission resonates with me but who don’t have the budgets of for-profit companies.

What’s the difference between coaching and counselling?

While coaching can have therapeutic elements - it is an opportunity to reflect, to talk openly and confidentially, and to develop personally and professionally - it is not, and is no substitute for therapy. If you’re wondering which avenue to explore, this is a useful resource to think through options. I rather like this summation by Dr Carol Kauffman: “In therapy, you follow the trail of tears, to find where people need healing. In coaching, you follow the trail of dreams.”

I’m not an executive or ‘C-suite’: is this the right kind of coaching for my questions?

Much of my organisational experience has been working alongside the most senior leaders in their organisations giving me a ‘birds-eye’ view of the challenges of leadership. I have focused my executive coaching training and accreditation on the skills that lend themselves to looking at the systemic issues often faced by leaders at that level. That said, I believe that leadership is a practice, not a position of authority (Heifetz). Everyone can develop and increase their capacity for leadership - it’s not simply a set of personal characteristics.

Do you do life coaching?

My coaching looks through the lens of work and organisations, and how leaders shape and adapt in this context.