I hope my readers will forgive a slightly more personal post. If you’re considering whether coaching is for you, these reflections might help or at least pique your interest. Over the past year or so, I’ve discovered that coaching is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. The benefits are often mutual — it really is a dream job.
Much of my career has involved helping others find their voice whether on stage, in boardrooms, or through recovery from voice loss. Now, discovering my voice as a coach has been just as intriguing.
As a singer, my true voice emerged later in life. It took years of technique and experience before I could truly let go and focus entirely on the story and harmony. I’m now noticing a similar evolution in my coaching practice.
At first, I relied heavily on frameworks: GROW, OSKAR, CLEAR and these were helpful scaffolds. Coaching is serious work. People bring their real challenges, hopes and investments to the space. But over time, I’ve found myself less focused on doing it ‘right’, and more on being truly present with the person in front of me. When sessions falter, it’s often because I’ve clung too tightly to a model, rather than trusting the moment.
My coaching style is quiet and facilitative, rooted in who I am, my experiences, and how I show up for others. Coaching demands stillness, agility, deep listening, and confidence to act or not at the right time. Like the kingfisher I chose for my brand, it’s about precision, presence, and grace in movement.
Now, with more experience, structure and instinct can dance together. Some clients need a clear path, others need space to unravel and explore. Sometimes goals emerge halfway through, and I’ve learned that’s not wrong, it’s just real.
A challenge has been navigating when to share my own expertise, particularly around communication, voice, and confidence without slipping into mentoring. I used to hold back, but Clutterbuck’s words landed with me: withholding helpful knowledge can be unethical. The key is to offer insight with permission and no attachment to outcome. Just: does this resonate?
Surprisingly, I’m just as comfortable coaching people outside my own world: CEOs, lawyers, entrepreneurs. Not knowing their exact terrain frees me to listen differently, and reflect without assumption. I offer a perspective they may not get from peers.
I especially enjoy working with high-energy, fast-thinking leaders. It’s demanding work that requires stillness, timing, and clarity and I love it.
To finish on a lighter note: a client recently reminded me of that fun personality test with shapes. Triangles are driven and direct, squares dependable and rule-focused, circles warm and team-oriented, and squiggles.. well, that’s me: creative, spontaneous, and slightly chaotic. I love coaching squiggles… but I also love the discipline of a triangle or the structure of a square.
So what am I saying here? That I’m a squiggle… and a circle. That coaching is a powerful investment. That finding the right coach is key and being the coach you are, rather than the ‘right kind’, is essential. I’m letting go of rigid expectations and leaning into who I am as a coach: informed, reflective, creative, and grounded ready to meet each client where they are.
