In today's competitive business environment, organisations are increasingly recognising the importance of investing in their workforce's development and well-being. Leadership and Executive coaching is a powerful way to help them do this is. In this week's Coach in the Spotlight feature, Coaching Academy graduate Vicki Merrill shares her coaching journey and how through her coaching business she is helping organisations support their workforce, foster a positive work environment in which they can thrive, and ultimately drive success. Join us as we delve into the transformative impact of coaching has on Vicki and her coaching clients.
I came into coaching having been coached! I had an established and successful career as a Corporate Communications Director working with large corporations, but about 15 years ago, I was in a period of adjustment, recently divorced, living in a new city and in a new job, and I was finding work particularly difficult. I couldn’t afford to lose my job and I needed to find a positive way to navigate the challenges I faced and build resilience. I knew I didn’t need therapy and luckily for me, I found a coach.
Having had coaching and the experience of an empathic forum, a confidential space for expression without judgement and having lived the positive benefits of the GROW process and taking action, I wanted to train as a coach myself, and pass on to others the opportunity I had to get life on track and thrive.
How has coaching benefited your own life?
I am continually coaching myself - applying and trusting the process. Working with tools such as the Wheel and being able to understand or challenge my own limiting beliefs has helped me to build my coaching practice as well as confidence and happiness in my personal life too. During Covid I started I working for myself running an international online business as a communication coach focusing on helping executives develop their business English language, presentation and leadership skills, so upon completing The Coaching Academy's Personal Performance Coaching diploma and applying a more coaching-centric approach to this work was valuable.
Probably the biggest impact was the confidence and the technical skills the course gave me, which enabled me to be more structured and empowered when leading my sessions. The education and personal insights shared by the coach trainers gave me a greater understanding of the art of coaching, which I was then able to use to strengthen my skills and professionalism. Equally important to me was the sense of belonging and fellowship. I connected with great people, built a network and made good friends.
How are you using your coaching skills?
I have my own coaching practice; VAMcoaching and I’m using my coaching skills every day. I focus mainly on professionals who work in high-pressure environments or partnership structures, but I am increasingly being asked to do more life and purpose coaching. I am constantly evolving and upskilling, which is another reason why coaching is so fulfilling.
Work well-being within organisations is an interesting area. In partnership firms, such as lawyers, management consultants and accountants, the hierarchy system is often embedded, badly managed and out of date, failing to attract or inspire a new generation of employees. Without modernisation and adopting an environment that fosters individual expression and enrichment or an outlet for feelings and frustrations, these firms will not retain their talent. The balance between towing the company line and being happy and fulfilled at work is delicate and not always easy to navigate. Coaching can help professionals succeed in their work, and the company to thrive. It is important to have a positive work experience and I would like to work with more organisations to help them to support their workforce as they look to build a happy and productive employee base.
Keep flexible and have an open mind so that you can grow too. As a coach, you are connecting with people and their lived experiences all the time and this can have a profound effect on our own lives and personal development. Coaching is an opportunity to give, and receive, and my advice is to keep open to learning and change. Who you are when you enter the career may not be who you are after a year or two years etc. You learn a lot about yourself as a coach so embrace change, hone your instinct, and allow yourself to grow. You are your first client so fulfil your potential too.
Thank you Vicki for sharing your inspirational journey with us!
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