Coaching
Alison O’Leary – Coaching for Senior Leaders
Certified career coach, Alison O’Leary, delivers tailored coaching programmes for senior leaders.
The programmes are designed to help individuals overcome challenges, enhance performance and business contribution, and support career advancement.
Each programme consists of five coaching sessions that address individual needs, providing a confidential space to gain greater perspective and effect positive, lasting change in areas including:
- Managing relationships
- Prioritising
- Strategic thinking
- Influencing
- Building confidence and presence
- Managing stress
- Delegating and team management
- Stretching potential
Alison combines insights, tools and techniques from her coaching toolkit to help senior leaders deliver visible results that benefit the individual and the organisation.
She also brings a genuine understanding of the industry following a 20-year career in communications where she held a number of senior management positions; most recently as Deputy Managing Director, Europe for Racepoint Global.
''I’ve seen first-hand the impact Alison has on people. She recently worked with several of the team here at The Think Tank and helped people grow into their new roles. Alison was amazing in giving our colleagues the tools they need to grow and most importantly realise their individual impact. She also helped them enjoy their work lives more, celebrate the wins, stop ruminating on errors and learn how to unpick what’s happened so that they can learn from their experiences.''
Joanna Wilmott, PR Director, The Think Tank
''Working with Alison has had a transformative impact on my career. She has helped me to recognise and appreciate my own strengths and how to articulate them. She has been an invaluable sounding board when dealing with specific challenges in the workplace and has given me tools and techniques to manage these situations. During the time I’ve been working with Alison I have been promoted to a senior manager role and, with her continued coaching, I am confident of continuing this upward trajectory.''
Emily Lumsden, Senior Account Manager, London Communications Agency
''Having Alison as a professional mentor and coach over the course of 10 months has been an invaluable exercise that I will continue to draw on and learn from for years to come. I set out with the ambition of personal development and honing my leadership skills. Alison has helped me to become more self-aware and truly understand my strengths and innate skills, how I best champion them in my role and apply them for the benefit of the team and our business. She is a natural motivator, relatable and easy to communicate with. Overcoming an underlying imposter syndrome that has plagued me for years, and realising my strengths are my superpowers has been the biggest outcome for me from the sessions we have had together.''
Hannah Lloyd, Associate Director, Pinstone
Emma Ewing - Rapid impact coaching
Feeling stuck, had a knock to your confidence or feel that at some level you’re getting in your own way? Perhaps you’re already at a senior level and want to discuss ideas and problems without worrying your team.
Emma specialises in working with ambitious people who want to grow and who know they want to play a greater role in their own success, but are bumping up against obstacles along the way. She has a track record of helping PR & Communication professionals fulfil their potential, nurture their careers and create opportunities for themselves and their organisations.
How it works
Your session will give you the opportunity to ‘hear yourself think’ about decisions and situations. You’ll use the time to talk things through with an industry professional who understands your challenges and provides a perspective to help you uncover solutions that feel just right.
The rapid impact format means that you can focus on actions that build your confidence and enable you to leave the session ready to take action with renewed clarity. It’s been described by clients as having access to a ‘super-powered sounding board’, ‘the best way to re-energise my career I can think of’ and ‘simply a relief to think things through with someone who really gets it.’
Who is it for?
Emma regularly coaches comms people at every level, from agency account managers/directors and founders to in-house leaders and their team members. Clients typically work with her on leadership or team management skills and issues, career and confidence development or managing the competing demands of strong personalities.
''Really enjoyed the coaching session with Emma! She is very approachable, understanding and has a great knack of opening your eyes to different solutions and thinking outside of the problem.
Highly recommend to anyone who is looking for guidance on how to progress in their career!'' Adam Ike, Account Supervisor, Finn Partners
''Emma creates the space and environment to unpack a problem, understand the root causes and assemble the solution in a way that makes sense and is actionable. It’s a carefully considered mix of care and counsel that always results in success.''
''Emma has provided me with the impartial confidante that I needed: someone who helps me identify the true challenges and roadblocks that I am facing on a day-to-day basis and, importantly, she helps me find the solution.''
Lindsay Paterson, Executive Coach
Lindsay is a qualified Executive Coach with considerable experience of working with established leaders and rising stars in agencies, government or in-house.
With a broad public affairs background, she understands and has navigated the challenges her clients face day-to-day, regardless of the industry they work in.
She helps individuals to do better quicker and believes that coaching delivers real return on investment. Clients report measurable changes in confidence, motivation and effectiveness, new ideas and inspiration, and better relations with colleagues and clients.
Typical issues which come up in coaching include:
- Stepping into leadership roles
- Thriving (not surviving) at work
- Leading and motivating teams
- Leadership styles and comfort zones
- Building and delivering strategies for growth
- Impact and effectiveness
- Setting and achieving goals
- Confidence
- Imposter syndrome
- Planning for career change or retirement
Lindsay is particularly interested in ‘lonely leader syndrome’ and works with many leaders who can’t otherwise share what’s on their minds. We know that sports stars all have a coach, and she thinks that business leaders too need someone impartial on their side to offload to and build strategies with.
Typically, Lindsay offers programmes of 5 x 90 minute sessions but is happy to discuss bespoke support too.
“I had three transformative coaching sessions with Lindsay. Her ability to provide support that was rooted in a clear understanding of my role, career stage and future ambitions was unparalleled. Thanks to the sessions, I was able to take significant steps to reframe my thinking, focus on development areas, and build confidence.”
Chief Strategy Officer, Public Affairs Agency
“Lindsay is a fantastic coach, her impressive professional background means that she understands and appreciates the challenges of being a senior leader. Her coaching approach is an effective mix of constructive challenge and practical support. No matter how difficult the issue, Lindsay's professional knowledge and experience and expert coaching skills ensure options are explored and solutions identified. “
CEO, Trade Association
“I found our sessions incredibly valuable for multiple reasons and have noticed a step change in my consultancy skills, approach to management, and ability to handle stress, emotion, and all the other challenges that are part of an agency career.”
Director, Public Affairs Agency