Call the LionHeart Helpline

UK: 0800 009 2960 or +44 (0)121 289 3300

Request a callback

Close

Coaching for change

coaching for change
20-05-2021

The last 18 months or so have forced huge changes upon almost all of us, in one way or another, as we've had to learn different ways of doing things at work and at home.  

After a period of change and uncertainty it may be quite natural to have a period of reflection and reassess where you are in life - and where you want to be.  

Many people will feel really ready to jump straight back into their old ways of living and working. There might be others keen to hold on to at least a few of the changes they've made over the last year or so - a bit more flexibility, perhaps - while others yet might be dreading a return to old ways and may have seen a real shift in where their priorities lie.  

Coaching can be of real benefit when someone is facing some kind of challenge in their personal or work lives, offering an opportunity to talk in confidence about their situation and help them look at any changes in behaviour, approach or attitude that could help them make progress in a direction of their choice. 

At LionHeart, we offer both formal and informal coaching, depending on each person and what might suit them best. Coaching is an approach where, through questioning and exploration of their situation, we offer support to those looking to change their lives in some way as they move forward. We have helped many surveyors, or their life partners, take steps to a new path in life, but find that many people still don't have a full understanding of the concept of coaching.  

Some of the key areas where coaching can make a huge difference are: 

  • Work life balance and creating new routines, especially in relation to new demands or changes in role 
  • Resilience - what can help you keep going? New approaches or a change of mindset 
  • Career fulfilment - room to explore what your values are, what's important to you, and what are your non-negotiables?  
  • Stress management 
  • Confidence building 

Formal coaching by a qualified coach will look at agreements between the coach and client, and evidence of growth in relation to goals. It may take place over a longer period of time - and will even involve 'homework' between sessions!  

Coaching scenarios and how to measure growth and change 

The Overloaded
This client typically has tons of commitments at work and at home; flits from activity to activity with varied productivity. Coaching would explore time management strategies, prioritising of tasks, setting up boundaries, establishment of personal time. Growth for the client would mean them feeling more in control and less stressed, with their work output more consistent. 

The Workplace Stressed  
This client returns to work after time off stressed. Previously, was regularly consulted for expertise which they valued, but also meant long working hours and very little balance in life. Coaching would explore the client's values, choices and setting of boundaries. Growth would be evidenced by a move to a more sustainable work/ life approach. 

The Procrastinator 
This client finds themselves continually procrastinating over areas of work. Coaching would help them explore the barriers to productivity and try to establish the causes, whether lack of understanding, mindset, training needs, client's personal approach or organisational issues. Growth would be evidenced by the client applying new approaches to the work so progress is more maintained and a bit less 'lastminute.com'... 

The Stretched Manager 
This client is in a management role, with many demands from different directions. Coaching might involve an assessment of the skill set and or training needs of the team, exploration of delegation and risk, prioritisation and focus time for planning. Growth in this case would see the client better able to address different demands of the role, with time for staff development and focus on strategy plans and overview. 

The Anxious Presenter 
This client is becoming weighed down by 'performance anxiety', relating to presentations or business meetings. Coaching would look to identify key issues and outcomes and the reasons behind anxiety; it might involve actual practice in order to challenge the mindset. Growth would leave them feeling more relaxed and comfortable in this kind of situation.  

The Career Changer  
This client feels their current role is not addressing all their needs. Coaching would look at client's key values, the degree of autonomy they have in their own role, skills, and any gaps towards that next goal. Growth would mean the client having a strategy of the next steps needed to move towards a short term or medium-term goal.  

These are just a few scenarios where coaching might help. In fact, the possibilities are almost endless.  

As coaches, we welcome the opportunity to help people make the changes that will make them happier and more fulfilled, and would encourage anyone interested in finding out more to get in touch for a no-obligation chat.  

Clare Davis is a LionHeart support officer with over 20 years' experience and is also a qualified coach. 

Contact cdavis@lionheart.org.uk 

Find out more: 

LionHeart coaching  

Latest Posts

2024
December
3rd - Things I learnt about grief this year
November
4th - An 'ask' from the LionHeart chair
October
16th - Understanding OCD – and how therapy can help
10th - The conversations that can change lives
September
16th - Help! I'm a new graduate surveyor!
10th - Starting the conversation around suicide
August
23rd - Do you know your numbers?
July
31st - My dad, the alcoholic
May
24th - Introducing LionHeart's new CEO
9th - Moving more for your mental health
March
21st - Being a surveyor with ADHD
13th - Life after brain injury
February
5th - How youth counselling helped us
2023
November
22nd - Living with an invisible illness
9th - What makes a good trustee?
1st - Things you must do as a final year surveying student!
October
4th - Dyslexia in surveying
September
28th - Reflecting on 12 years at LionHeart
13th - New beginnings and how to embrace them
5th - Losing a sibling to suicide
July
5th - Celebrating one year alcohol-free
April
25th - Caring for someone with MS
20th - How to set boundaries at work
February
17th - 'Calling LionHeart was like being thrown a life jacket'
6th - Spotlight on winter fundraising
3rd - Facing cancer
2022
November
14th - Identifying and dealing with workplace bullying
October
13th - Why make a will?
12th - Living with OCD
3rd - Autism and my road of discovery
September
22nd - Frequently asked questions about LionHeart
August
25th - 25 years of LionHeart
11th - 'Stress caused me permanent disability'
July
18th - Diversifying our board, and why
May
18th - Coaching to unlock a new future
12th - How to help your lonely teen
9th - Asking for help - as the helper
April
28th - Why talking about dying is so important
7th - 9 simple ways to cut stress
March
23rd - Living & succeeding with ADHD
16th - 'I came to see how much of my life was run on adrenaline'
February
10th - "My daughter didn't want to be here any more"
4th - My life-changing cancer diagnosis
January
13th - Reassessing how you drink
4th - Looking to the future
2021
November
19th - How alcohol almost cost me everything
18th - Children's grief and how to help
16th - Alcohol, anxiety and how secrets keep you sick
4th - "I had no idea stress could cause a real physical pain"
October
22nd - 5 ways to get your teen talking
18th - The Positives of Menopause
13th - Baby loss and depression
12th - The pandemic's impact on children's mental health (and what we can do about it)
8th - Don't judge a book - a story of depression and change
5th - LionHeart Back to Work support
September
29th - Post APC submission
16th - How families feel youth mental health
June
24th - 6 top tips if you've been referred
May
20th - Coaching for change
12th - I'd hit absolute bottom - but it was the catalyst to seek help
April
22nd - Spring into action by fundraising for LionHeart
March
4th - Reflecting on university mental health
February
15th - My experiences of counselling
January
20th - Worry Time - and how it helps
18th - My furlough & redundancy journey
13th - Volunteering and LionHeart
2020
November
30th - A road to change
2nd - Trusteeship through lockdown and uncertainty
October
12th - The importance of legacies
10th - Overwhelm - and overcoming it
8th - Lockdown and my mental health
September
28th - Creativity at Work
July
20th - Video
June
24th - 'If I can do it, so can you'
22nd - How to ace your APC interview online
8th - Help! I've been referred... what now?
3rd - Your coronavirus concerns, and how we're helping
May
12th - Managing health anxiety through Covid-19 - and how we helped Mike
12th - How coronavirus might be affecting your mental health
March
31st - Rising to the coronavirus challenge
24th - Keep connecting - in a different way
13th - Demonstrating our impact
February
4th - "Cancer wasn't meant to happen to us"
4th - The Big C and grabbing life
January
30th - My journey as a charity trustee
7th - Top 10 tips for CVs and interviews
2019
December
9th - Grief and loss at Christmas
November
7th - Charity trusteeship
6th - How counselling can help manage stress
October
9th - Living with anxiety and depression
July
10th - How coaching can help
May
16th - Changing attitudes to mental health
15th - The vicious circle of body image & mental health
14th - Social Anxiety & how we can help
April
11th - Life with Parkinson's
March
29th - What is Bipolar?
29th - The one about the Bipolar surveyor...
12th - Memory tips from the training front line
January
22nd - Losing a parent
2018
December
7th - LionHeart's support was a game-changer when I failed APC
August
16th - When the reality of motherhood doesn't quite go to plan
July
10th - The story behind surveying's Sisterhood Summit
2nd - The rollercoaster of being a first-time dad
June
22nd - My father's suicide and what I've learnt
14th - Tips for your RICS APC final assessment interview
7th - Trust in the charity sector
May
21st - Is it really okay to not be okay?
April
17th - Building resilience through your APC
January
8th - 7 ways to get more active this year
2017
December
4th - Coping with loss and grief at Christmas
October
5th - "I was told I might not be cut out to be a surveyor"
September
26th - Resilience, and why we need it
August
21st - APC Revision Top Ten Tips
July
12th - LionHeart on new fundraising code of practice
June
19th - Living with 'invisible' illness
14th - How LionHeart helped us live life
13th - Men's Health Week 2017
May
22nd - Living with panic attacks
18th - Why we must care about work life balance
11th - The chicken-and-egg of mental health and shame
February
2nd - What I learnt from Dry January
January
31st - "My 19-year journey to MRICS is what made me"
5th - Ways to be kind to yourself in 2017
2016
September
7th - Suicide prevention
August
1st - Coping with APC stress
July
13th - "I constantly watch my husband for suicidal signs"
May
26th - Dealing with referral at APC Final Assessment
19th - How mindfulness can help your relationships
18th - "I live, and thrive, with depression"
17th - Men and mental health
16th - Mental health and your relationship
April
26th - Starting out in surveying
March
11th - A happy retirement
February
1st - My Dry(ish) January
January
21st - Spring clean your finances
6th - When to consider couples counselling
2015
December
4th - Having a (financially) healthier Christmas
November
18th - How to help a loved one with an addiction
June
15th - Reflections on the Lionheart Surveyors' Football League season
12th - Carers
10th - How LionHeart can support carers
9th - Desktop Relaxation techniques
May
29th - Techniques to help combat anxiety
20th - Helping a family member with depression
18th - Achievements that make a difference
16th - Five things that may indicate your colleague needs help
11th - Helping during a panic attack