Coaching

Coaching is the art of facilitating the development, learning and performance of another. Key elements include a non-directive style, goal-setting, listening, questioning, constructive challenge and feedback with an aim to empower the coachee rather than tell them what to do.

Research indicates coaching increases performance and provides substantial returns on investment. Coaching is an increasingly popular tool for developing leadership in the NHS, supporting managers and teams. In addition, I have regularly coached clinicians on a range of topics such as time management, identifying priorities, coaching team members, dealing with difficult members of staff, raising personal profiles, interview skills, deciding upon the right job offer and becoming more confident as a leader.

Supported time for reflection through coaching provides the ‘stretch’ and challenge to create insight and foster new learning and just the simple fact of creating some space in which to think and talk achieves amazing results for the coachee. It is one of the most rewarding parts of my job and totally commit to my client’s success.

If you would like to resolve a problem, talk through some issues or even just use me as a sounding board for your plans and ideas, please contact me on [email protected] or 01622 816806.

“Your coaching session and the notes you sent me were most helpful in categorising/organising my thoughts and certainly had a major role in helping me make a decision. I am most grateful and I would certainly use your services again and recommend you to friend/colleagues.” AB, Clinical Director, NHS Wales

“Thank you again, I found the discussion we had very rewarding. I will ensure I act on your other suggestions. They are all good sense.” Phil H, Clinicial Director, NHS London

“Following a difficult period within the NHS Trust I was working in I became unwell both physically and mentally. I had previously been very successful in all posts in various NHS Trusts and was really bewildered how suddenly I couldn’t cope with my job and its pressures. My illness and treatment from my employers impacted on both my confidence and self-esteem so that the simplest of tasks became impossible. I tried several therapies to try and regain my previous self including counselling. However nothing seemed to help.

On one of my better days I decided to pursue coaching and came across the Sarah Christie Web Site by accident when searching for some local coaching. After initial contact by email, Sarah offered me a free telephone consultation which I will be honest I was a little sceptical about and worried I would be led into purchasing something I couldn’t afford. I couldn’t have been further from the truth.

The support I received on that first consultation left me with no doubt that coaching and, in particular, Sarah was the right thing for me. I felt positive about myself and my future for the first time in ages. Sarah developed a personal coaching plan that was affordable and tailored for me. This involved a day’s coaching with Sarah and follow up calls.

I have to say that through my many years in the NHS this day was – by far – the best I had spent on any learning and development course, and it was tailored personally to my needs and situation. I learned so much about myself and about the different styles and behaviours of the difficult individuals and how to tackle these when I returned to work. Sarah helped me develop a strategy that was action focused and we discussed ‘survival tools’ to enable me to return to work with confidence.

We discussed various methods of coping strategies with preparation being the key and several off the wall concepts such as visualisation and vision boards. (Believe me they work.)

Despite having attended several leadership courses Sarah taught this in a very simplified way and made me understand how to put this into practice to get the best out of my teams. I can honestly say that prior to the coaching I was probably a sub-standard leader but, not any more. It isn’t rocket science, however, putting your teams first in any project really does deliver the required performance, leaving all feeling valued and respected. Prior to my coaching I had lost my way with this concept due to poor leadership from above, leaving me and the teams micro managed and feeling worthless which of course resulted in poor performance. On my return to work the performance in my area was the best it had ever been purely by following the easy steps Sarah had advised.

Nothing was too much trouble for Sarah and I ended our coaching day absolutely buzzing with confidence and ideas: something that had been quite alien to me for longer than I remember. There was no doubt I would be returning to work with several secret weapons.” JG, Discharge Manager, NHS North West