The Coaching Question

In this episode we have a really open discussion about our experiences developing as coaches and reflect not only on the journey we have both been on to date, but the journeys we continue to be on. Many coaches, when they first start out, can be quite focussed on particular models, frameworks or niches, but over time they learn through practice and their approach is always evolving. This is simila...

In this episode we look at how concepts like birth order theory can be a gateway to insights into how we’re all shaped by our family of origin, which is where we learn to take on certain roles. We look into how valuable it is to explore the hidden dimensions that are playing out in our relationships at work. We’re not interested in ‘doing’ therapy with clients, but we are interested in how the dec...

In this episode we look at a relatively new area of coaching - Pairs Coaching. The main focus of this work to date seems to be in the area of Boards and Exec teams where the importance of robust working relationships built on trust, confidence and good communication cannot be underestimated.  Pairs coaching is an extremely effective way of building powerfully strong relationships between two...

In this episode we are joined by James Edgar, who comes with over 20 years experience in the HR field. We wanted to speak with James because he has the experience of being a user and commissioner of coaching as well as being an experienced coach himself. We talk to James about what advice he would have for his younger self and reflect on his experience of leading a global people function through C...

This episode’s question is “Why does menopause coaching matter for diversity, inclusion and wellbeing?" We explore what menopause coaching can look like, the ethics around menopause coaching and of course learn more about the experience of menopause itself. We found this episode fascinating and great fun to record with the energetic Kate Usher. She’s an experienced coach and change strategist with...

Welcome to this bonus episode, where we reflect on changes that have occurred since our recording on these topics, this time in Season 2, and some insights we’ve had since! When we came back to look at Season 2, we noticed a theme around investment in time, effort & money.  Some of the things we look at include: How the UK’s performance in recent Olympic games has benefited from the above...

Welcome to this bonus episode, where we reflect on changes that have occurred since our recording on these topics and some insights we’ve had since. We started Season 1 in November 2020 when Covid cases were rising rapidly again with lots of uncertainty and we’d finished recording before Christmas and it was after this that cases took off in the UK so things have developed a lot since our initial...

In this episode we discuss how coaching can stop leadership derailment. If you are interested in understanding how increased self-awareness of blind spots can help prevent leadership derailment - listen to this episode. We explore how the use of tools such as the Hogan Development Survey (HDS) (the Dark Side tool) can provide insight into how strengths can be overused such that they become a hindr...

In this episode we discuss the use of psychometrics in coaching. We use the Myers Briggs Type Indicator quite a lot to illustrate our points, as we believe the MBTI is one of the most popular tools in use in coaching. Other psychometrics mentioned include Insights Discovery™ and the Hogan Development Survey (the Dark Side tool). Oftentimes, coaches are selected because they are trained in how to u...

In this episode we are joined by the massively experienced coach Kim Gregory to discuss why a head teacher should invest in coaching. Kim Gregory has been coaching in education since 2009. She works with all sorts of leaders, typically Directors and CEOs in Not-for-Profits, but she especially enjoys working with Head Teachers and Senior Leadership Teams. What matters most to her is to work with cl...

In this episode we discuss adult vertical development and how an understanding of a leader's developmental stage can radically enhance/impact on their performance and what change that might make to the coaching you do. "Exceptional leaders in even moderately complex environments outperform their average peers by 225% " This was research by Mckinsey that confirms that the difference between average...

In this episode we are joined by Sasha Scott and Jen Morris of Inclusive Group to discuss how coaching can support Diversity and Inclusion in organisations. The role coaching might play in supporting behavioural change in organisations is a relatively new development, and one that is still taking shape. Listen to this episode if you’d like to learn more about the difference between Diversity, Incl...

In this episode we discuss the Great Training Robbery and whether training or coaching is a better investment. If you’ve only got so much money, how should you be splitting your budget to get your best return? What is the Great Training Robbery? The Harvard Business Review article ‘The Great Training Robbery’ states that in 2012 U.S. corporations spent $164.2 billion on training and education. Ove...

In this episode we talk about coaching culture, what it is and the benefits of creating one. We share and discuss the five things that the coaching culture magazine says that are needed to create a coaching culture. “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” is a quote attributed to Peter Drucker and we agree. The only way you can be nimble enough to succeed in a VUCA world is to have a culture fit fo...

In this episode we are joined by Charlie Warshowski, a coach and coach-trainer and founder of Love Your Coaching to talk about growth mindset and why it matters in coaching. This is an episode that should not only be of interest to coaches and HR, but also to any parents who are interested in how to best enable their children to be successful in what they do. We both met Charlie through the Guildf...

In this episode we discuss the importance of a chemistry session in coaching and what one might look like. Chemistry sessions are the (usually free) meetings that a coach and potential client will have to determine whether or not there is a good fit between both parties. It answers the question; ‘Can we work well together?’ We share our experiences of what makes for effective and ineffective chemi...

In this episode we are joined by Jo Taylor, MD of HR Consultancy Let’s Talk Talent, to discuss drop-in coaching. Let’s Talk Talent’s function is to make organisations irresistible by unlocking their people potential, ensuring organisations thrive at every level, along any time-frame. Jo and Gregor discuss whether it is good business to offer coaching to everyone. Gregor met Jo when she recruited h...

In this episode we discuss how feedback might show up in coaching. Feedback can be such a provocative topic. People find it difficult to give constructive feedback and they worry about how others will respond. There are many models out there providing guidance on how to structure your message, but it can often be much more complex than just applying a model and hoping that the conversation goes we...

In this episode we are joined by Olympic Gold Medalist and Performance Director John Anderson to talk about performance coaching. John Anderson MBE came to coaching with a background in high performance sport. Drawing on 20+ years experience working with world class athletes, John has developed a model of performance coaching designed to support the performer to get better at doing the things they...

In this episode we are joined by two incredibly experienced supervisors, Eve Turner and Carole Davidson, to explore why supervision is so important in coaching. The ICF defines coaching supervision as a collaborative learning practice that continually builds the capacity of the coach through reflective dialogue for the benefit of both coaches and clients. Supervision provides coaches with a safe p...

In this episode we talk about the organisational benefits of career coaching. Listen to this episode if you are interested in learning more about why organisations might want to offer their people the opportunity to access career coaching. Organisations want to support and be seen to support valued members of staff to find the next role internally or to be supported to leave well and find a role i...

In this episode we talk about what to expect from career coaching. If you are interested in understanding the role of coaching in your career development, then listen to this episode! We help to clarify the difference between a career coach and a careers guidance professional and we share examples of where career coaching has come up as part of another coaching engagement where the topic of ‘what...

In this episode we ask the question - "Why should we bother with a systemic approach and constellations in coaching?” Listen in to this episode if you are interested in learning more about what systemic coaching is and how systemic constellations as a technique works in practice. You will be particularly interested in this episode if you are keen to understand how other factors in your life/work m...

In this episode we discuss how coaching can help with stress and mental health and where coaching stops and counselling starts. We explore how boundaries can be helpful in managing our stress levels and we share a great quote from Brené Brown: “Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even if we risk upsetting others.” Listen to this episode if you are interested in l...

In this episode we discuss what we can learn about change from Covid 19. We reflect on how people’s need for structure is severely impacted by not having an office environment, and that structure is really important as a psychological need. The boundaries that were present in our physical office routine are no longer there. We explore how structure relates to Certainty, part of David Rock’s SCARF...