This week's Coach in the Spotlight is Nina Jamieson. Nina is one of our graduate coaches who is currently using her coaching qualification to support people with their career. Nina works within financial services and uses her coaching skills and tools to help people with their personal development goals. Nina also uses her coaching skills in her full-time job to support the development of others.
Over time, I found myself being the go-to person for advice and support among my friends and peers. People would often turn to me when they needed a listening ear or guidance, and I valued the trust people had in me and that I could help. So, I started to look into how I could use these skills further to help others more effectively and this led me to coaching. I saw coaching as a structured approach to channel my natural inclination to support others, allowing me to make a meaningful impact in people's lives.
Coaching has been transformative in my life, not just in helping others but in reshaping my own path. I discovered its impact when I found myself at a crossroads in my career, feeling stuck and uncertain about the future. Despite a desire for change, fear and self-doubt were holding me back. Coaching helped me explore different career options, move beyond limiting beliefs, gain confidence, and clarify my aspirations. It was this clarity and confidence that empowered me to take a leap and secure a new job.
I had to balance full-time work, my role as a mother and family time with pursuing a coaching qualification, but it was a commitment I was determined to fulfil. My days were already occupied with work responsibilities, so I dedicated my evenings and weekends to study. It required careful planning and a disciplined approach to make it manageable. Social engagements sometimes took a backseat but the sense of purpose and the drive to achieve my goals kept me motivated.
The most rewarding aspect of my coaching journey has been witnessing the progress and transformations in my clients' lives. Every step forward they took felt like a shared victory, a testament to their hard work and our collaborative efforts. One of the most fulfilling moments was when my very first client, who had been feeling stuck in their career and a lack of motivation secured a new role after our coaching sessions. Seeing their growth, increased confidence, and their ability to overcome obstacles was incredibly satisfying. Also, achieving a distinction in my coaching qualification was another immensely rewarding milestone. It was not only a personal accomplishment but also a testament of the dedication and hard work I had invested in the course.
I work in financial services and I also coach individuals outside of my main job. I primarily use my coaching skills to support individuals overcome challenges in the workplace, gain clarity about their career goals and create a healthier work life balance. Coaching also plays an important role in how I support and develop others at work.
The aspect of coaching that most interests me revolves around empowering individuals to overcome challenges in the workplace that often hinder their progress. Issues like fear, self-doubt and Imposter Syndrome. The concept of work-life balance and the importance of establishing healthy boundaries for well-being is another area that fascinates me. Also, championing individuals to be fearless, confident, and tap into their fullest potential resonates deeply. These are all areas I have had to work on and areas I often see people struggle with so I’m keen to support where I can.
My advice would be to talk to others already in the field. The Coaching Academy also offers a free Introduction to Life Coaching webinar which gives you a good insight into life coaching but also do your research as there are many courses out there and you want to find the right one for you. If it sounds like it’s for you, don't hold back—take the leap and see where it takes you. There's nothing to lose, only invaluable experiences and personal growth to gain along the way.
The Coaching Academy's online learning portal and their workbooks were instrumental in providing structured guidance and foundational knowledge during my coach training journey.
In addition to these formal resources, personal development books have been an incredible source of insight and inspiration. Books that delve into areas like emotional intelligence, effective communication and psychology have enhanced my understanding of human behaviour, and my coaching skills.
The Coaching Academy was established in 1999, and is now the world's largest coaching school.
In that time we have trained over 14,000 people to become life coaches.
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