November 4, 2026
This is not something I ever thought I would say, but I’ll admit it – I’ve become slightly obsessed with The Celebrity Traitors. I’m hooked […]
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October 31, 2026
Even though Halloween stuff has been in the shops for what seems like ages it still isn’t quite here yet. But seeing all the paraphenalia and […]
October 29, 2026
As coaches, we spend a lot of time listening. People bring us the things they’re struggling with, the decisions they can’t make, the conversations they’re […]
October 22, 2026
One of the most interesting shifts I notice when mentoring coaches towards PCC is how they become increasingly aware of their own thinking during coaching […]
October 15, 2026
I’m writing this in Tuscany, a long way from my desk and the usual shape of my working week. The days feel different here. We […]
October 8, 2026
One of the things I’ve noticed over my years of mentoring coaches is that when they start working towards PCC, they often focus on what […]
October 1, 2026
“I just need to get a few more coaching hours under my belt before I apply for PCC.” It’s something I’ve heard many times from […]
September 24, 2026
One of the interesting things about blind spots is that most of us are quite good at spotting them in other people. We notice the […]
September 15, 2026
Another ICF change is on the way. This time it’s the PCC/MCC Credentialing Exam, with a new version launching on 10 November 2026. If you’re […]
September 9, 2026
What if you’re not actually stuck? I know it can feel as though you are. Maybe you’ve been thinking about the same decision for weeks […]
September 3, 2026
I recently ran a LinkedIn poll asking coaches what was holding them back from applying for their ICF credential. The most common answer was that […]
September 1, 2026
September has always felt much more like New Year to me than January does. I suspect some of that comes from spending so many years […]
August 25, 2026
When we think about developing as coaches, we often think about learning something new. A new approach, a different way of working, another training course […]
August 20, 2026
AI is becoming part of coaching practice remarkably quickly. Coaches are using it to prepare for sessions, support their reflection, produce transcripts and summaries, create […]
August 15, 2026
The Search for the Perfect Question One of the questions I get asked most often by the coaches I work with is, “What’s the best question […]
August 13, 2026
If you’re working towards your ICF ACC or PCC credential, or you’re renewing your ACC, you may have heard about some significant changes coming in […]
August 13, 2026
Every coaching conversation contains two conversations. One is the conversation we are having with our client. The other is the conversation we are having with ourselves […]
June 24, 2026
Coaching has become increasingly popular over the last decade. Organisations invest in it, leaders seek it out and coaches passionately advocate for it. Yet there is […]
June 17, 2026
This may sound like an unusual thing for an ICF Master Certified Coach, ICF Certified Assessor and Coach Mentor to say. I believe strongly in […]
June 10, 2026
Many coaches invest significant time, money and energy in their coach training. Some complete a Level 1 or Level 2 programme. Others train through independent […]
June 3, 2026
It Started with Frustration La Dolce Vita for Coaches came about because of something that had bothered me for years. Like many coaches, I’ve attended professional […]
May 27, 2026
One of the things I notice frequently when mentoring coaches is how easy it is for coaching to become something we try to perform rather […]
May 20, 2026
When the Journey Becomes More Than Travel I arrived home from Australia a few days ago after eight weeks with my family and grandchildren. What […]
May 13, 2026
Later this week, I’ll be flying home to the UK after eight weeks in Australia with my young grandchildren. And if I’m honest, I’m already feeling […]
May 6, 2026
In the previous blog, I shared some reflections on the upcoming changes from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and what they might mean for coaches. Since […]
April 29, 2026
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) has announced a major change to its credentialing process. From April 2027, the Performance Evaluation requirement for ACC and PCC Portfolio […]
April 23, 2026
A Different View Changes Everything I’m writing this from Melbourne, Australia. A long way from home in every sense! The pace feels different and the […]
April 8, 2026
What’s really changing as you grow as a coach Developing as a coach isn’t simply about improving technique. It’s about what’s happening in your brain. […]
April 2, 2026
Although this year I’m in Australia at Easter, it’s Spring again in the UK and with the long weekend ahead I hope you get some […]
March 25, 2026
In coaching conversations, we often hear the phrase active listening. It’s described as a core coaching skill, sometimes even as a defining feature of good […]
March 18, 2026
The Subtle Shift Most Coaches Miss One of the most important shifts in developing coaching mastery has nothing to do with better questions. It has everything […]
March 11, 2026
When You’re Thinking About Applying When coaches begin thinking about applying for their ICF ACC or PCC Credential, it often feels like a natural next step. […]
March 4, 2026
Why Some Judgement Sharpens Your Practice and Some Quietly Undermines It We often describe coaching as non-judgemental. It is one of the foundations of trust and […]
February 25, 2026
There’s a moment many experienced coaches recognise, even if they don’t always talk about it. It’s when a session feels a little different and the […]
February 18, 2026
There’s a particular quality to some coaching sessions that’s hard to describe but instantly recognisable when you’re in it. Time seems to expand and your […]
February 10, 2026
In my previous post I outlined the benefits of working with a great Coach Mentor. But how do you choose a Coach Mentor? How do […]
February 4, 2026
You may, or may not, have thought about working with your own Coach Mentor. Over the years I have worked with many.Some were good, and […]
January 22, 2026
The Pressure to Move Fast In fast-paced leadership environments there’s often an unspoken pressure to respond quickly, decide fast and keep everything moving. Speed gets rewarded. […]
January 15, 2026
How confident are you as a coach, really? Not the kind of confidence that needs to be seen but the quieter, internal kind that shows […]
January 8, 2026
Have you ever had a moment in a coaching session where you feel that something should land with your client but it doesn’t? During a […]
January 2, 2026
A Familiar Season of Fresh Starts It’s that time of year again when social media fills up with posts about goals, intentions, fresh starts and […]
December 30, 2025
A brand new year is almost here and slowly the daylight hours are beginning to lengthen again. This is usually the time when we’re tempted […]
December 28, 2025
There’s something distinctive about the days between Christmas and New Year. The main event has passed and the urgency hasn’t quite returned. I’ve always loved […]
December 23, 2025
As many others are doing, I’m taking a break for two weeks over the holiday period to reflect, rest and replenish. This time of year […]
December 22, 2025
There always seems to be so much to do at this time of year and Christmas seems to have a way of amplifying everything […]
December 18, 2025
I hadn’t realised how little space I had A couple of weeks ago, I found myself wandering around the house with that strange, restless feeling that […]
December 16, 2025
A few weeks ago, a Senior Leader Amanda (not her real name) came to me feeling utterly stretched in a way she couldn’t quite articulate. […]
December 9, 2025
I spent a couple of days last week wandering around York Christmas Market with mulled wine in hand, twinkly lights everywhere and the Minster against […]
November 21, 2025
The latest updates to the ICF Core Competencies have brought a gentle but meaningful shift in how we understand coaching mastery. They’re not just tweaking […]
November 7, 2025
When the Desk Gets in the Way I finally got round to clearing my desk this week. The clutter has been building up over the […]
October 24, 2025
A Week to Remember I’m home again with my bags unpacked, having coffee in my own kitchen and yet a part of me is still in […]
October 9, 2025
I’ve been packing for La Dolce Vita for Coaches this week, and it’s made me stop and think. Because when I looked at what I was […]
September 30, 2025
I was at an online networking event recently and we were chatting in a breakout room. I was surprised when another coach said to me […]
August 28, 2025
Many great coaches get a shock when their ICF recording doesn’t pass. It’s not because they’re not good coaches. Far from it. The real […]
July 13, 2025
I’ll admit it- I’m a Wimbledon fanatic and have been since I was about 12! I could watch it all day, every day. And have done […]
July 4, 2025
A few months ago, I was working with a coach on my 1-2-1 Persional Mentoring Programme. Susan was the kind of coach other people recommended […]
May 21, 2025
Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels as a coach? That you’ve lost your spark? Believe me, you’re not alone. But what if that feeling […]
May 7, 2025
As coaches, we hold space for our clients to pause, think, reflect, and grow. But how often do we give ourselves that same gift? Reflection […]
April 15, 2025
I run developmental Coaching Circles for graduates of my Coach Development and Mentoring Programme. One of the elements that we considered in our session this […]
March 11, 2025
When I started coaching over 25 years ago, now, I was passionate, eager, and determined to make a difference. Looking back now as an ICF Master […]
February 27, 2025
One of the most common challenges we face as executive and leadership coaches —especially if we are working with senior leaders—is balance. Not just the balance […]
January 29, 2025
What have bolied eggs got to do with coaching? I’ll begin by sharing one of my favourite stories with you… A young woman was in her […]
January 23, 2025
Imagine being presented with the most decadent dessert—layers of rich chocolate ganache, dark mousse, fudge, and a drizzle of syrup. It’s indulgent, sure, but after a […]
November 29, 2024
🎄The Christmas pressure is already starting to build…… 😩Are you feeling overwhelmed sitting looking at your to-do list and not knowing where to start? 😩It can […]
November 25, 2024
I know that may sound like a daft question! Of course you are using your voice- you do it all the time. But exactly how […]
October 4, 2024
How do you feel about using metaphors in your coaching? I absolutely love it when one of my coaching clients uses a metaphor! I ask if […]
September 29, 2024
When coaches first embark on their professional journeys, especially those aiming for the International Coaching Federation (ICF) credentials, finding a mentor coach can seem like […]
September 8, 2024
September always feels like a fresh start for me. For years, it was marked by the rhythm of going back to school. First of all as […]
August 23, 2024
I've found that many coaches are confused about how to apply and get their ICF credential- about what the different levels and paths are and I run a number of calls each month to take coaches through it.
Susan contacted me for one of these calls. She wanted to find out what was needed in terms of mentoring for ICF. She was keen to get a professional qualification that would increase her credibility as a coach.She had planned to embark on another ICF accredited coach training programme to give her the additional hours she thought she needed. It was going to cost her £7,000 and take a further 9 months, but it wasn't necessary for her in order to apply for her PCC credential. She could do it by a different path.
August 14, 2024
What is your Coaching Confidence Like? How confident are you as a coach? Confidence as a coach isn’t about having all the answers. I think […]
August 6, 2024
I first became aware of “Mindfulness” as a thing over 10 years ago now and it became a daily process for me to reduce my […]
August 1, 2024
In my previous post I outlined the benefits of working with a great Coach Mentor. But how do you choose a Coach Mentor? How do […]
July 26, 2024
You may, or may not, have thought about working with your own Coach Mentor. Over the years I have worked with many, some good, and […]
April 12, 2024
” Silence is one of the great arts of conversation” Cicero One of the biggest challenges many coaches face is being comfortable with silence. They […]
April 4, 2024
As you evolve into the amazing coach you know you want to be what might you be holding on to that is keeping you stuck? […]
October 10, 2023
How often do you hear comments like this… “It would have been a great meeting if only the manager had been in a better […]
September 13, 2023
When I first trained as a coach (over 22 years ago now!) one of the absolute no-nos was to give advice. We were told that was […]
August 30, 2023
If you have difficulty saying no, you are not alone! But being able to say “no” gracefully is crucial if you are to realise your […]
August 25, 2023
“One of the most painfully inauthentic ways we show up in our lives sometimes is saying “yes” when we mean “no” Brené Brown […]
January 27, 2023
I am passionate about Coaching and believe that every coach should be working with their own coach. Coaching can be a very powerful and transformational experience […]
December 13, 2022
The Christmas pressure is already starting to build…… It can be an exhausting time of year right now and as women we seem to experience it […]
May 17, 2022
I have had a lot of enquiries recently about ICF , what it is, what does credentialing mean etc is and so I’ve put together this FAQ article to answer the most common questions.
January 13, 2021
It’s that time of year when social media is full of articles, videos and blog posts about setting your goals and how different things will be […]
January 4, 2021
Over the years I’ve found that it really useful to take some time out to reflect on the previous few months and set intentions for the […]
December 29, 2020
A brand new year is almost here and the daylight hours are getting longer again.
As usual at this time of year thoughts turn to making New Year Resolutions.
Have you made any yet?
Because did you know that by the end of January only about 10% of people are succeeding at keeping their resolutions?
December 4, 2020
It’s Friday afternoon and the clock is ticking. You’re working furiously to complete a task before the five o’clock deadline, while silently cursing yourself for not […]
May 10, 2019
Are you up for a challenge?
This challenge is to make a decision whilst letting go of “getting it right”......
May 10, 2019
So why are the beginning and ending so important? What most people don’t realize is that when information is presented it is remembered in the BEM sequence. […]
May 10, 2019
According to a year-long study by the Centre for Talent Innovation, leadership potential is signalled through your gravitas, your communication skills and your appearance . . .
May 10, 2019
Imagine for a moment that I give you a box.bright box with lid
It measures 30cm x 20cm x 5cm.
It is brightly coloured and has a lid which at the moment is closed.
May 10, 2019
In the present financial climate, when all seems to be doom and gloom, it may seem inevitable to dwell on mistakes, failures and the negative aspects […]
May 10, 2019
Great speakers and presenters are liked by their audiences and being likeable doesn’t only help with presenting but will help you in your job, business, relationships, and life.
What makes great speakers so likeable and so successful? And how can we do it?
May 10, 2019
How would you like to achieve much more with much less time and effort? Sounds impossible?
Well that’s what many thousands of . . .
July 9, 2015
She is an internationally acclaimed speaker and sought-after educator who has taught over 65,000 people on three continents.
May 8, 2015
Sophie is an Entrepreneur, Author, Business Coach and Professional Speaker. She currently runs several businesses, is a coach to several ambitious business owners and has a growing marketing agency.
March 26, 2015
Sarah describes herself as accidental entrepreneur and serial academic who enjoys generating ideas, working with awesome people and making things happen – fast.
February 19, 2015
She started the UK's first Black Women Business Network - The European Federation of Black Women Business Owners. In addition to being awarded the CBE in 2003 for her services to women, small business and minorities, her work has been recognised internationally and acknowledged by the Mayor of Houston, Texas with her own day- Yvonne Thompson Day 4th Jan. As well as being named in Washington in the Congressional Records.
January 22, 2015
With a background in business management, advertising, the private medical sector, the Employment Department Jill has also worked in the House of Commons for 18 years.
She was appointed as the first female Sergeant at Arms in 2008, which she describes as a formal job with a very formal uniform. Her responsibilities as Sergeant were security, access and ceremonial.
When she retired from the role in 2012 this was said about her contribution “Jill has played a powerful role in mentoring and encouraging other women in the House service to achieve their potential. The number of women now occupying senior posts in the House Service is some measure of the example she has set.”
January 14, 2015
Following from last week's post, find out why you will continue to get what you don't want in 2015 unless you make this change......
January 7, 2015
Cath describes why 90% of resolutions fail within 30 days of setting them and what you need to do to get more of what you want for your business.
