Transitioning to a new role

After spending 15 years in consulting, I decided to make the move in-house as a member of the technology leadership team for a large UK financial services company.

Whilst I was excited by my new role, I was also only too aware of how many new challenges I faced: moving from a series of temporary roles to a permanent in-house position, from being a supplier to being the client, from general consulting back to being a technology specialist, and having line management responsibilities again.

Helen’s coaching and support proved invaluable. I cannot overstate how important that ring-fenced time was in the first few months, to step back and consider the important things, which in turn contributed to my new success.

She created the space for me to work through challenges including how to manage upwards through a complex organisational hierarchy and how to lead a team of senior managers who needed me to coach and guide them in turn.

I have been the beneficiary of great leadership and active listening before, but coaching is rather different. It really is about allowing you to find the answers yourself, rather than being advised on what you should do. Helen does this brilliantly, with a friendly and empathetic manner, providing the space to talk whilst still holding you to an agenda, providing challenge where appropriate, and keeping the discussion objective-focused. There is nothing like going into a conversation feeling you have an intractable problem only to leave 90 minutes later having discovered you had the answer all along, with a clear set of actions to work through and renewed energy and excitement.

Whether you are working through a professional challenge, pursuing a new opportunity, or at a decision point in your career, I can thoroughly recommend Helen as a coach. You will not regret it.