Executive Coaching

Leadership transformation by releasing the energy of authentic leadership

What is executive coaching?

Coaching offers senior leaders the reflective time and safe space in which to stand back from the pressures of the role and explore what is important in their leadership. As someone who understands the context but has no agenda, the coach offers both support and challenge in a confidential relationship based on trust designed to create optimal leadership performance.

Your coach is your thinking partner which can mean they may be a sounding board, stimulate thinking, encourage creativity, promote deep and honest reflection, ask challenging, sometimes uncomfortable questions and develop new insights and self-awareness all in service of building leadership capability, creating authentic, sustainable leadership and delivering personal career development and strategic outcomes.

The coaching experience

Idyia’s coaching approach is informed by evidence-based practice, holistic and uses principles of positive psychology identifying and building on leaders’ strengths and utilising ways in which leaders can energise teams and the organisation by empowering others to use their strengths.

We invite leaders to identify and articulate their unique leadership identity as a way of ensuring that their leadership is authentic and sustainable. Idyia believes that an effective leader needs to have a flexible leadership style and to have high levels of self-awareness so we work to enhance emotional intelligence. We also recognise the potential impact of senior leadership and work to develop personal resilience. Our approach is informed by a clear understanding of leadership in various organisational contexts and many years’ experience of working with senior leaders.

The coaching process

Idyia’s coaching is bespoke to each leader we work with. Typically, we work with leaders in senior academic and professional roles in universities, including vice-chancellors and executive teams, PVCs, Directors, Heads of Schools and Professors.

Effective coaching is built on a secure, collaborative relationship built on trust and clarity about the process. An initial chemistry and contracting meeting allows the coach to understand the specific challenges and opportunities in the leader’s role and allows the client to really identify what they want from the coaching process. At this stage clear objectives are identified and an agreement established about how coach and leader will work together.

Sometimes, it is helpful if the process is informed by additional data such as 360 degree feedback or emotional intelligence, resilience or strengths profiles.
Typically, we work with leaders for between 6 and 12 months over 6 sessions of 90 minutes. Usually sessions are face to face but Skype or telephone can be used. Additional support between sessions using Skype, telephone and email is always available.

Coaching effectiveness will be regularly reviewed with periodic formal evaluation to ensure that it is delivering what is needed.

Coaching outcomes

Coaching can be transformational. Leaders report as a result of coaching.

Clear sense of identity as a leader
Greater role clarity and confidence
Increased self-belief
Enhanced levels of resilience and emotional intelligence
Energised through utilising personal strengths
Greater engagement and pro-activity
New insights and perspectives
Better levels of self-awareness
Willingness to address issues
A strategic, results focused approach
Growth mindset
Career enhancement

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Quality assurance

Sally Bernham is Course Director of the Certificate in Coaching at the University of Cambridge, Institute of Continuing Education and her coaching is, therefore informed by current research. As a member of the Association for Coaching and European Mentoring and Coaching Council. She is in regular supervision and committed to on-going CPD to keep her practice current. Her work conforms to the Global Code of Ethics.