I approached Steve for some career guidance and coaching as I was lost and unfulfilled in my career but didn’t know why. Steve listened to my values and helped me to discover and explore my motivations, pairing those with job options that I’m qualified for.
I only spent a few hours with Steve as these sessions provided me with more than enough value to be able to re-evaluate my position. I left my time with Steve feeling re-energised and motivated. I found a new role quickly that aligned with my motivations.
Thomas Smith, Curriculum Coordinator, Suffolk New College
Coaching with Steve has helped to restore my confidence following a challenging few months in a previous role and develop my leadership skills and style as I transition into being a first-time charity Chief Executive.
Steve has provided the perfect balance of insightful and honest critical reflection and supportive encouragement. Our coaching sessions have enabled me to feel more self-assured in leading ‘my way’, and also encourage my colleagues to recognise and develop their own leaderships skills.
Steve’s input has enabled me to learn more about myself as a person, and as a leader, at a crucial time in my career, to grow from his wisdom and guidance and feel better prepared for the challenges that I’m likely to face in my role as a charity CEO.
Gavin Stone, Chief Executive, 4YP
I reached out to Steve last year for coaching support, having caught my eye with his always-honest, often-brutal observations of leadership in the charity sector. I’d recently finished my PG Cert and as part of the reflective practice element, had graduated with a ‘to do’ list for self-improvement, including the recognition that I had early signs of professional burn-out and felt a bit stuck in a rut, wondering ‘what’s next?’. I was getting itchy feet to do more, not less.
As it turned out, over the weeks that followed, we ended up ignoring this ’to do’ list. Instead, we worked together to find the areas of work and home that gave me energy and help me to thrive, alongside having to do ‘business as usual’.
Steve helped me to see (literally in my diary) there are only so many hours in the day, and that it is my right and within my gift to put some boundaries back in for things I enjoy. Together, we uncovered the importance of creativity, being an advocate for causes I love, high levels of trust, responsibility and freedom, and time spent outdoors.
I’m still learning, adjusting and certainly have blips and bumps in terms of priorities, but I very much value having this new list to return to, focused on my strengths and preferences, and not my weaknesses.
Kirsty Telford, Deputy Director, Ministry of Stories & Hoxton Street Monster Supplies