Who do you work with?
I work with new engineering managers, team leads and engineering organisations. I also work with leaders who are sponsoring a new manager and want them to get off to a strong start. If you do not fit neatly into any of these, get in touch anyway. I coach technical people at any stage who want to improve the workplace experience, not only people managers.
Do I have to be a brand-new manager?
No. The work suits anyone stepping into leading people, and leaders whose team has outgrown the habits that once worked. I also work with non-managers who are having difficulty with communication, confidence, etc.
What happens in the free conversation?
It is on Google Meet, at no charge. You tell me what is going on, and I tell you honestly whether and how I can help, including if I think I am not the right fit. When you book, you are asked what the conversation is for; say as much or as little as you like.
What does coaching look like in practice?
You bring the real situations you are facing, such as a difficult one-to-one, a delegation that went wrong or a decision you are unsure about, and I help you work through them. Between sessions you try small experiments, and I help you review what happened. Sessions are usually 45 minutes and paced to suit you: weekly, every two weeks, or whatever is going to work best.
How long does it take?
An ad-hoc advisory session is a single session, with follow-ups as needed. A focused coaching sprint runs for 4 to 6 weeks. An embedded advisory rhythm runs for 3 to 6 months. A team-system review is a workshop with follow-up. You and I discuss the shape after the free conversation.
What does it cost?
Ad-hoc advisory sessions are £275 per session. A focused coaching sprint is £250 per session, and an embedded advisory rhythm is £225 per session. A team-system review is around £1,200, varying by team size and complexity, and includes a comprehensive report and follow-up discussion. I invoice monthly, and I operate below the VAT threshold, so no VAT is charged.
I need coaching but cannot afford it
Get in touch anyway. Sponsored spots are sometimes available, and I would rather talk about it than have cost be the reason you do not ask. Send me a message, or book a free conversation below.
Is it confidential?
Yes. What you and I discuss stays between us. The only exceptions are where the law requires me to disclose something, or where someone is at serious risk of harm; the terms explain this in full.
Can my employer pay for this?
Yes, and many do. I invoice monthly to an organisation, and purchase orders are accepted. The page for engineering leaders is written for the person who approves the spend, so it is the best thing to send them. There’s also a downloadable one-pager you’re welcome to use to help justify the expense.
My employer is paying. Will they see what we discuss?
No. Sponsor agreements are available as standard. If your employer is the sponsor and it is appropriate, I can hold a short three-way conversation at the start so everyone agrees what good looks like. After that, you decide what to share.
Do you work remotely?
I mostly coach remotely, by video call. I take clients worldwide, and sessions always take place within reasonable UK working hours.
How is coaching different from mentoring, training or therapy?
Coaching helps you find your own answers through questions and practice. Mentoring shares experience, and I do some of that too when it helps. Training delivers a fixed curriculum, and mine has none: everything is shaped around your context. Coaching is not therapy and is not a substitute for medical or mental health support.
What if I need to cancel or move a session?
Please give me at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or rearrange a session. The terms have the detail.
What happens to the information I send you?
I use what you send through the contact form or when you book only to reply to you and to prepare for our conversation. I do not sell it or share it for marketing. I keep session notes for two years, then delete them. The contact form uses Google reCAPTCHA to block spam. My privacy page has the full detail.
I still have a question.
Send me a message, or book a free conversation below.