Having spent 10 years in elite sport competing as an international athlete, Lizzy found her new passion outside of the world of sport, in Performance Coaching. Whist working with an exceptional team and competing alongside the world’s best, Lizzy learnt to value her passions in performance and high-pressure moments. These have been a source of motivation for the switch into Performance Coaching, as well as a desire to share her love of failure and development as a part of our personal progression with those she is working with.
Coaching is wonderful opportunity to talk openly as well as think in a different way. As a qualifying Executive Coach at the London Guildhall of Dance and Drama, I am discovering the impact this. Coaching is change focussed, working with the client on their career goals, ideas, or challenges, whilst always championing the client and their own resourcefulness.
Coaching is an individually focussed, confidential conversation where I work with the client 1:1. We are all so different – in our professional and personal lives, as well as the various demands we have on us, and varied upbringings which we have experienced. I believe that bringing your authentic self is essential in coaching. This can allow for curious and interesting conversations, within a supported setting, leading to longer term transformative change. I believe that effective coaching leads to deeper personal understanding, growth, and performance focus.
A real hidden gem of coaching is the opportunity to get to know yourself better, now. As humans we are constantly adapting. Understanding, and utilising your motivations and strengths as a constantly evolving person is a huge performance advantage.
I currently volunteer at the Prince’s Trust and really enjoy coaching their staff, as well as volunteering as a mentor for the University of Gloucestershire.
My ethos is to worth with a client as a ‘teammate’, moving together towards the client’s goals and focus of change, in a partnership of two equals.
After reading The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben I learnt a lot about how trees talk to each other, maybe slowly but they do talk! They communicate fear and risk like incoming pests, whereby the tree releases a chemical scent to deter pests. The trees also pass on water and nutrients via various fungi routes between the trees’ root systems.
I’ve been looking at trees more because of the book. When you see a tree by itself you might assume that it is a lucky tree, who has all the water, nutrients and light all to itself. But, who does it have to weather a storm with?
When you see trees growing in a crowded forest fighting for light and water, you might assume that their life would be a bit tough. Trees who grow close together protect each other, talk to each other, and pass on vital nutrients. Growing in a forest allows them to not only survive but thrive. Although we are clearly not trees, I think we can learn a lot by surrounding ourselves by those who challenge us, and push us on to be bigger and stronger, or maybe just think a little differently. I enjoy working as teammates, moving forwards side by side towards the client’s goals.
Mentoring is different to Coaching, where shared experiences and understanding can create huge impact. Mentoring still involves the skill of asking effective and simple questioning, but with the added benefit of familiarity and knowledge of the skill area. The mentee is always at the heart of the conversation, with their career goals as well as challenges being the focus for change.
Mentoring is done on a 1:1 basis and is a confidential conversation between Mentee and Mentor.
