Me
You know that moment: you’re with a group of people you don’t know and they don’t know you. You’re invited to introduce yourself.
Typically, you’ll hear and talk about what you all do, your expertise, your roles in and outside work: all about the ‘doing’. There’s often less about the ‘being’.
It can feel safer that way, keeping your true self safely tucked away behind the credentials. Yet, as you listen to others, you may notice yourself comparing their ‘doings’ with your own.
How might it be different if we told the ‘being’ story instead?
The being of me
I grew up in South Wales, an only child surrounded by other ‘onlies’. On my first day at school, I came home mystified that some in my class lived with other children. I married an only, and I have an only. I’ve never felt lonely as my own company has become an adventure.
I like to think it’s set me up to dance to the beat of my own drum. On my third day in my ‘dream job’ at the age of 30 I knew that corporate life was not for me. I quit, set up on my own and have earned my keep that way ever since.
On my 50th birthday I faced a choice: get older, or get younger. I chose the latter. I started to do some of the things I was of course ‘too old’ to do. I learned to row, properly. On my 60th, I bought a vintage rowing boat.
I once met a woman at one of my Sea Change ® workshops who was treating herself to the weekend away to explore her next career move. She was 81. She had ‘retired’ at 77 and decided it wasn’t for her. I loved that woman.
Other things I love: great stories; bright colours; the open road; really good coffee; being in, on or by the sea; simply watching; oh, and wolves (one has licked my face, but that’s a story for another time)
Things I’m not so keen on: the last page of a great book; rooms with tiny windows; the feel of tearing cotton wool; being rushed; parties (back to the ‘only’ thing…)
The doing of me
If you’re thinking of coming my way for a conversation, you probably do want to know a bit about the doing
Since 2004, I have been coach to around 1,000 people; trainer and mentor to over 700 coaches and supervisor to 100 experienced coaches working at all levels in all sectors.
Much of my work is through the world-class Henley Business School (University of Reading), where I am Executive Fellow, Visiting Faculty Member in the School of Leadership, Organisation and Behaviour, and Lead Tutor on the triple-accredited Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching, and MSc in Coaching & Behavioural Change.
I have a private coaching, personal development and supervision practice, through which I work with charities, businesses and individuals.
Since 2012, I have hosted my Sea Change® Hideways on the Suffolk and Dorset Coasts. These are coaching-based events for small groups of individuals seeking some time out to drop their shoulders and take stock.
More recently, I have added supervision-based Hideaways for coaches by the sea in Dorset.
My approach to coaching, supervision and learning draws upon a range of disciplines, instruments and coaching models. I have a particular interest in neuroscience, neuropsychology and applied positive psychology in coaching and coaching supervision.
I am fully insured, Data Protection registered, and in regular group and one-to-one coaching supervision.
Most of all, I love what I do.
Areas of expertise:
- Executive and personal coaching
- Group facilitation
- Supervision of coaches, one-to-one and group
- Training and development of coaches
- Introduction of coaching-style practices in the workplace
- Working with and in the natural environment
- Reflective practice as a development tool
Research topics:
- Masters Research into overcoming performance anxiety through awareness and management of what’s going on in the brain
- Masters Research into use of audio / visual media to support active learning
Qualifications / Accreditations / Affiliations:
- BA (Joint Hons), English & Education
- MSc Coaching & Behavioural Change (Distinction)
- MA Education
- Professional Certificate in Coaching
- Professional Certificate in Coaching Supervision
- Certified NLP Practitioner
- Member, Association for Coaching
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coach Federation
- Member, Henley Centre for Coaching & Behavioural Change
- Accredited / trained to work with Systemic Constellations, Time to Think™, and Coaching Signatures™
- Coaching with Physical Intelligence Certification, The Physical Intelligence Institute
- Certified Chopra Health™ Instructor
- Certified Mental Health First Aider, MHFA England
- ‘On the side’: Accredited British Rowing Indoor Rowing Coach; qualified Premier Gym Instructor; qualified Red Cross Workplace First Aider
To start a conversation, you go first: