Passionate about inspiring others
As an experienced coach, I am dedicated to supporting leaders in enhancing their abilities to navigate changes and challenges in their careers and working lives. My goal is to inspire, encourage, and build your confidence and resilience through personalised coaching. With over a decade of experience as a Deputy Vice Chancellor, I offer coaching for professionals that provides insights and expertise into the unique pressures faced by academic leaders and professionals. I am here to help you unlock your full potential.
What I bring to your coaching experience
In my coaching practice, I focus primarily on coaching senior leaders across universities and other educational institutions. My experience includes coaching individuals in senior academic roles such as Deans, Heads of Schools, and Directors of Professional Services. I also extend my services to leaders in schools, further education, and even the NHS and not-for-profit organisations. The rise of online coaching has enabled me to work with clients not just in the UK but globally, making my services accessible to a broader audience.
A space where you can foster your own leadership style
I strive to build a strong rapport with my clients through active listening and empathy. My approach to coaching for professionals is client-focused and action-oriented, encouraging you to set clear goals and expectations for each session. Together, we will plan actionable steps to tackle between sessions, ensuring that we review your progress at our next meeting. I am passionate about fostering creativity and innovation in your leadership style, helping you to succeed in achieving your ambitions.
Empowering and revitalising
I am particularly dedicated to supporting diversity and empowering women and under-represented groups to excel in leadership roles within universities. As your coach, I aim to be enthusiastic, supportive, and, when necessary, challenging, to facilitate your journey towards success. Throughout our sessions, we may explore various topics, including personal leadership development, career progression, team building, and managing challenging situations.
Professional Background
My journey began in the healthcare sector as a nurse and midwife, where I held leadership roles for a decade in the NHS. Transitioning into higher education, I have held multiple senior academic leadership positions, including head of department and executive dean, culminating in my role as Deputy Vice Chancellor. This diverse experience means I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to my coaching.
In 2017, I founded Dialogue for Success Ltd, where I offer coaching for professionals alongside leadership development consultancy. Being self-employed allows me to work with a diverse range of leaders, and I remain attuned to the evolving challenges within the higher education sector.
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Qualifications & Accreditations
- Intensive Coaching Skills, 2015
- ILM Level 7 PG Diploma in Executive Mentoring and Coaching, 2018
- Member of the Association of Coaching
Case Studies
Case Study 1
One notable coaching relationship involved a Head of Department at a large post-92 university. When I began coaching her, she was an experienced leader but felt increasingly undervalued and frustrated by limited promotional opportunities. Despite her strong academic and leadership record, her confidence was waning.
Together, we explored various career options, focusing on her strengths to build resilience. She made the brave decision to apply for a senior leadership role at a research-intensive university, with a professorial title. Throughout our coaching sessions, we discussed her application, the nuances of different university cultures, and interview preparation strategies.
The outcome was successful; she secured the senior academic position and was awarded a professorship. Today, she is thriving in her new role, successfully adapting to a different university culture.
Case Study 2
I was contacted by a senior university leader who had been asked to restructure and make savings in the area for which she had responsibility. She was the Director of a large Professional Services Directorate at a UK university. She was a very experienced leader but had never been faced with making such significant savings or the possibility of making staff redundant. She found the situation particularly stressful as she had led the team for a number of years and perceived many of her colleagues as good friends.
During the coaching sessions we explored her ideas for making the savings and the options available for restructuring the Directorate. We discussed ways that she could maintain her objectivity in problem-solving and decision- making as well as enhancing her personal resilience and confidence to deal with the challenges she was likely to encounter. Through coaching we were able to create a confidential and supportive space where she could speak openly and honestly about her thinking and also test out her ideas. She shared her thinking about the restructure and also how the savings would occur. We discussed how she could prepare effectively for the difficult conversations with colleagues that would inevitably occur
Her plans were approved by the VC and with ongoing monthly coaching conversations, she achieved the targets and goals she had set.
Contact
Get in touch to begin your new leadership journey.
If you're ready to embark on a transformative journey of leadership coaching, I would love to hear from you. Contact me today to arrange your free chemistry call.
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Dialogue for Success Ltd is registered as a limited company in England and Wales under company number 10671039.