My philosophy and approach
I truly believe that coaching can be a life-changing experience. Through my coaching practice, I work alongside people as they find clarity for the way ahead and grow in confidence to maximise their potential. With 20 years of experience working in HR at Goldman Sachs and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and now as a coach, my whole career has been spent supporting people through a variety of challenges and issues as they progress through their career.
I create a safe space, free of judgement, in which we can explore what is most important to you and which allows for creative thinking and effective problem solving. Feeling challenged by someone you trust will enable you to learn more about yourself, what you hope to achieve, and how you might navigate any hurdles. I will support you in identifying goals and achieving long-lasting change through listening and questioning, alongside providing constructive feedback.
I find people fascinating - what motivates us, why some of us behave this way and some the other, how we find our way through difficulties and come out the other side. The more we know about ourselves - what makes us tick, and the impact that we have on others - the greater our chances are of living in a more fulfilled and authentic way.
Areas of focus
Much of my coaching has centred around the themes of enhancing leadership effectiveness and improving individual and team performance. Within these topics we will work on a wide variety of issues, prioritising those most pressing for you, often including:
effective team management
navigating difficult relationships
communicating with impact
improving strategic thinking
managing time more effectively
I also work with people on transitions and change. This may be a promotion to the next level, moving organisation or industry, or the impact of parenthood on working life.
I am particularly interested in mental well-being and feel passionately that coaching can be an important contributor to good mental health. My clients experience improved outlook, self-awareness and self-belief during our time together.
How I work and what you can expect
I have an authentic, open and informal style with clear and direct communication. I am action-oriented and forward-looking.
Following our coaching sessions, clients say that they:
are a more competent leader
are better equipped to deal with challenges
are more confident
know and understand themselves better
make better decisions
have a clearer picture as to the path ahead
feel happier and more positive
I will be as flexible as possible to establish a working partnership that is best for you. I normally suggest 6 sessions of 1.5 hours each over a 6 month period.
Client Testimonials
Natasha Wear - CEO, Zopa P2P
“Sarah is really great to work with - she was able to effectively challenge me to identify the root cause of what was causing potential headaches but also create a very supportive environment for me to build up and test new ideas and ways of thinking with her.”
Ben O’Donnell - Children’s Literature and Education Consultant
“Sarah has been a hugely helpful coach with a professional, astute and insightful approach. At a transitional point in my career, our conversations proved instrumental in unpicking my own thinking, offering new perspectives and important challenges that allowed me to arrive at meaningful conclusions as to my own ambitions and how to realise them. I was always assured that Sarah's focus was to provide space and direction for me, and for my thought processes, while her understanding and insight ensured a rigour and thoroughness that inspired instant confidence. I would happily recommend Sarah to anyone looking to reflect on or develop their professional standing, career or decision making processes.”
Harriet Armston-Clarke - Director, TVF International
“I looked forward to each session as I always came away with new approaches and techniques which I was able to put into action as soon as I returned to the office. These transformed my ability to prioritise work, tackle difficult issues head on and ultimately get more out of my team. In addition, Sarah helped me to get to know myself, giving me renewed confidence in my abilities which in turn has made me a more competent - and happier - leader. I couldn’t recommend Sarah enough!”
Christopher Osborne - Real Estate Investment Manager
“Sarah's executive coaching sessions were really valuable for me. There is now much more clarity and structure to how I approach my near term career goals. The sessions invariably triggered useful ideas and thoughts that weren't present before. Sarah also boosted my confidence and self-esteem. Onwards and upwards!”
Emily Tilden-Smith - Lawyer, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
“I found the sessions really liberating and always looked forward to them – it was a pleasure to be able to discuss freely my thoughts and to be listened to. Sarah helped me frame and explore opportunities and concerns through her thoughtful questions in our discussions; she struck the perfect balance between listening to my ideas but also challenging my thinking through her insightful questions to help me find the best solution to the issue being discussed in that session. In doing so, she helped me build my self-awareness and I think I now have a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses such that I can tailor my plans more effectively going forward. In her coaching sessions Sarah also draws from her wealth of experience from her own career which sets her apart from other coaches I have worked with.”