Empowering Women Through Executive Coaching

What led you to coaching?

Without realising it, I had been unofficially coaching and mentoring my teams whilst working in my corporate roles over my 20-year career. Like most people, Covid gave me some time to do some soul searching! When I considered what I loved most about my job, it was the development opportunities that I was able to support my team through that lit me up the most. With my newfound realisation, I raced to enrol myself in not one, but two diplomas with The Coaching Academy!

How has coaching benefited your own life?

I had a profound coaching experience as a corporate executive, which really enabled me to have more self-awareness and self-reflection. This led to more clarity around my future goals and aspirations. That coupled with my coaching training and subsequent coaching experiences opened my eyes to what a powerful and transformational modality coaching is—I know I’ll never be without a coach (or two!) of my own!

How did you discover The Coaching Academy, and what attracted you to our courses?

Once I knew I wanted to train as a coach myself, I did extensive research into which courses would be most appropriate for me. I had a very clear vision of being an executive coach to support women in corporate—so ensuring I could cover this extensively and also gain ICF accreditation was vital.

How did the qualification fit into your day-to-day life?

I was fortunate to have a bit more time on my hands whilst staying at home during the Covid years! I studied during my evenings and weekends, which fit around my full-time corporate role at the time. The Coaching Academy was really flexible with the trainings, so it was easy to fit it in. I ended up completing two diplomas, the Life Coaching Diploma and Corporate Coaching Diploma, in 20 months.

What was the most rewarding part of your coaching journey?

We’re required do practise coaching as part of the Diploma certifications, which I did with other fellow students and some willing participants from the corporate world! This practical element confirmed what I already knew about how powerful this work is! Trialling the models, tools, and techniques I learnt along the way and seeing the positive impact they were having was really fulfilling.

What are the best Coaching Academy resources that helped you along your coach training journey?

Oh, there are so many! I think the coaching models are really helpful and beneficial both for myself and my client. Alongside some of the recommended reading resources, as someone who loves to do wider reading and research on all things coaching! I also enjoyed the peer discussions and reflections with others I was training alongside.

How are you using your coaching skills now?

I have since set up my own coaching practice to work with women execs in the corporate space. I feel strongly about helping others in their careers, to offer a solution where I wished I had more support when I was facing particular challenges as a woman climbing the corporate ladder.

Can you share a coaching tool or question that you find particularly effective in facilitating self-discovery for clients?

I love giving my clients space to dream about an exciting and compelling future without censoring or limiting themselves. ‘What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?’ is a question I love as it really opens up the mind. Then I work with clients to see what could be done to break down some of their limiting beliefs or barriers to making it their reality.

What types of feedback have you received from clients regarding the impact of your coaching on their personal or professional lives?

My clients have experienced incredible results and benefits from coaching, including promotions, pay rises, increased confidence, assertiveness, self-advocacy, career changes, finding their life’s purpose, better work-life balance, and being more present with their families, among other things.

What's the biggest area in coaching you are curious about and why?

I coach ambitious women executives to slay their inner critic and to lead with confidence. It’s what I wished I had when I was facing the same challenges in my corporate career. I work with women in particular, as I’m passionate about re-addressing the gender balance of senior leadership in the UK and beyond.

What tips would you give someone wanting to pursue a coaching career?

There’s room for everyone and if you are called to coaching, the world needs what you have to offer. Go for it! It’s such a rewarding journey that will be so exciting and enriching.

Thank you Beth for sharing your inspirational coaching journey with us!

Do you feel inspired and want to find out more about training to become a Corporate and Executive Coach?

Our Corporate and Executive Coach Diploma offers comprehensive training. This program covers essential areas like Team Coaching, Leadership Coaching, and Conflict & Resolution Coaching, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this rewarding field.   

The first step is to join us on our free Introduction to Life Coaching webinar, along with our Insight into Corporate and Executive Coaching webinar - you can view our online coach training event calendar to book your place!