Liz is an Ashridge accredited executive coach, with over ten years’ experience, and a portfolio of board level and senior clients from across the private and public sectors. She also coaches emerging young artists, pro bono, for the arts and media charity, The Hospital Club.
There is a growing trend for leaders and managers to invest in themselves, or indeed individuals in their team, by engaging a personal business / executive coach. We all need someone to talk to; we all need to be listened to so that we can think about what is going on and work out how best to respond. But it can be hard to know who to trust. Colleagues will have their own vested interests and prejudices. You want to be free to say what you really feel rather than having to filter what you say. Family and friends may not understand your work context and may have their own agendas or worries so you may be reluctant to share your thoughts and feelings fully with them. That is why so many people seek the support of an experienced executive coach to gain greater clarity, confidence and energy about what to do next.
Telling people what to do rarely leads to sustained change or builds problem solving capabilities within organizations. Many organizations are therefore keen to enhance the coaching skills of leaders so that they are able to inquire rather than advocate, to ask rather than tell, to ‘pull’ rather than ‘push. This can enable them to engage with others in a genuine and authentic way. In addition, some chose to develop their own pool of in house coaches. Building in house coaching capability invests in your own people, ensures coaches are readily available and have the advantage of understanding your corporate culture from the inside ... Read More
Liz has worked with a number of high-profile organisations, designing programmes to develop in house coaches or to develop the coaching skills of leaders.
Liz received a distinction in the Ashridge Masters in Executive Coaching and has been on the Coaching faculty at Ashridge. She also has a post graduate certificate in Coaching and Change Supervision from Ashridge.
As a coach, Liz likes to see herself as a thought partner. She is known for developing rapport quickly and asking good questions that get to the heart of the matter without criticism or judgement. Helping you to take stock of the present and give shape to your aspirations for the future, Liz offers a balance of challenge and support, always mindful of what is practical. She believes coaching and work are serious endeavours, but still maintains a healthy sense of humour in the face of the quirkiness of organisational life.
Liz herself has regular supervision as is required by the various professional bodies of the coaching profession.
Liz coaches face-to-face in London and East Anglia. She also coaches over the telephone and via Skype. Most clients contract Liz for six sessions with a review after the first three, but Liz builds in time to reflect on the process each session so she can adapt her style if necessary.
“Coaching has given me confidence and the ability to work effectively as a leader. Liz taught me ways to recognise and analyse my own, and colleagues’, thinking and behaviour and adapt my approach to each situation.”
Clinical Director NHS“Having Liz as my coach has encouraged me to have more confidence in myself and my abilities. I leave with a clear goal in my head as to where I am going or what I need to do.”
Director Public Sector Organisation“For the last two years I have been on a journey. Being in a senior managerial/leadership role was an odd space for me to be in because my whole life has been dedicated to clinical work…The new role had several challenges, and Liz helped me meet all of them. One particular issue was how to recognise my innate leadership style and to recognise that with my new role this had changed … the reasons why this changed and how to recalibrate this. Liz also helped me understand the reasons why internally people changed in their style of engagement with me, and how to understand and manage opposition and hostility. As a consequence I now manage 1:1 and group meetings more effectively and have maintained my equilibrium. Coaching has given me confidence and the ability to work effectively as a leader. In a way Liz taught me ways to recognise and analyse my own, and colleagues’, thinking and behaviour and adapt my approach to each situation.”
Clinical Director NHS“I have been meeting Liz for some time now, and have requested extra sessions twice! She always makes sure the sessions are structured enough to allow me to discuss all that I want in the time we have. She has a great ability to connect themes and whilst looking at the here and now, can link to other previous discussions. My time having Liz as my coach has encouraged me to have more confidence in myself and my abilities and help me act rather than just talk! I leave with a clear goal in my head as to where I am going or what I need to do. I have previously had coaching and whilst found it useful have never had such positive outcomes in all elements of my life.”
Director Public Sector Organisation