Case Study : Coaching for Career Progression and Life Balance

A client wanted to progress her career and maintain the quality of her family life. At the time she was Acting Head in a school that she loved. Her goal was to obtain the headship at that particular school. As a Deputy Head, she had applied for headships in the past and had been told that she was considered not quite ready. This was affecting her confidence and self-belief and she was wondering if she was in fact ready for such a responsible position. During the coaching, the client learned more about herself through personality profiling (using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®) and exploration of her values, skills and strengths. She also discovered how others are different and used this knowledge to develop her leadership capability. We prepared for a crucial parents evening which the client reported was hugely successful. She told me about her vision for the school and how she would like things to be.

The coaching helped her realise that she could fulfil the requirements of the role and maintain the quality of her family life provided she was organised enough, which she acknowledged as one of her key strengths. She began to believe that she was ready for this role, that she deserved it, and was really motivated to go for it. Having clarified this as an outcome, we made sure that her job application did justice to her knowledge, skills and experience and we prepared for that all important interview. The client got the job and is now at the helm of a successful school and leading a happy team. She also has the quality of life with her family that was so important for her to retain. This client said of the coaching: “The support and challenge offered have contributed to a positive life change for me and those around me personally and professionally. I see continuing this relationship as a vital part of my professional development.”