Case Study: Using Coaching for Career Progression and Life Balance

This case study illustrates how an Acting Headteacher used coaching for career progression whilst maintaining the quality of her family life.

Overview

At the time Alison was Acting Head in a school that she loved.  She wanted to progress her career whilst maintaining the quality of her family life.  

Her goal was to obtain the headship at the 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.

Approach

During the coaching, Alison 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.

Our coach worked with Alison to prepare for a crucial parents evening which Alison reported was hugely successful.  She told our coach about her vision for the school and how she would like things to be.

The coaching helped Alison 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, Alison and our coach made sure that her job application did justice to her knowledge, skills and experience and then prepared for that all important interview.

Conclusion

Alison 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.

Of the coaching, Alison said, “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.

 

Please note: Names have been changed for purposes of confidentiality.

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