Every client we work with teaches us something about what we most enjoy in our coaching. When I started working with Eddie, I already knew how much I enjoy working with men and women in senior leadership roles – this has, after all, been my heartland for a number of years now. One thing that Eddie and clients like him have taught me is this: that I enjoy working in a deep and lasting coaching relationship with clients. Why? Because such work can be transformational for the client, bringing results which continue way after the coaching has finished.
Eddie is also one of the clients who has taught me that the line between a “corporate” and a “private” client is not always clear. Sometimes my work with corporate clients has focused on personal agendas whilst sometimes those clients who pay for their own coaching can bring an agenda which is entirely work-related and of great benefit to the business in which they work. And either way, my senior leadership clients are as likely to be private clients as they are to be sponsored by their organisations.
What does Eddie have to say about his experience of coaching?
I was already taking part in an in-depth leadership development programme when I started working in coaching partnership with Dorothy.
I’ve had some great results from coaching. I achieved all my early goals for coaching and I got the promotion I was looking for. More than this, I am much more secure in who I am and what I want – coaching, together with our leadership development programme, produced this result. I have greater self confidence and self belief and I know what I have that gives me my place in the company’s future. The big thing is that I no longer question my right to lead and I’m willing and comfortable to be the obvious point of authority.
What would I say about coaching? Coaching has provided a space in which to explore and it’s always about me: it’s about my issues and what I can do. You could say it’s about developing me and not about developing a specific skill set. I always get value from our sessions. I started coaching with some clear goals and, having met them I’m now using it to help with specific issues and challenges as well as defining my next goals.
What would I say about Dorothy as a coach? She always gives me space to dump stuff and then move forward. She’s very good at listening and asking questions – catching the meaning of words and offering challenging questions. I always come away from coaching with the background noise in my head reduced. Our sessions create focus for me, giving me a renewed sense of purpose and priority.
Would I recommend coaching? Yes, I would – particularly for people struggling to achieve their potential or who are unaware of their potential. It’s a mind-expanding experience and an opportunity to expand your horizons – to open up areas of thought you never realised were not there.
Eddie Maguire
Head of IT Delivery