New feature! Introducing the new Q&A Coaches Corner

We're delighted to introduce our new feature of Q&A Coaches Corner. We are starting with Dr Sarah Hill who leads our workshop on Tuesday 25th June. She has provided further insight into what lies behind her coaching and the profundity of working through the Childhood Story. 

1. Who or what inspired you to become a coach?

Sarah's A: Working as a Dialogue Facilitator leading cultural change interventions in UK prisons and experiencing at first hand the toll managing change in that environment took on its leaders but also seeing what a coaching relationship with them enabled were a huge motivation for me. My experience working with one particular Prison Governor inspired me to continue on a pathway towards becoming a Dialogic Coach. I was both incredibly challenged and wonderfully invigorated. I definitely found my calling.

2.What is your favourite thing about being a coach?

Sarah's A : It’s the profundity of playing a part in enabling truly transformational change that liberates and redeems old stuck patterns of behaviour, which otherwise cause harm to the individual, team or system.

3.What is the thing you find the most challenging as a coach?

Sarah's A : Endings can sometimes be challenging because my coaching model is a relational one and this provides the foundation for the work. There is a deep knowing that leads to a depth of connection such that when the time comes to draw the work to a close I can experience the feelings of loss associated with ending quite deeply. I’ve learned how to manage this well over the years but it impacts nevertheless.

4.What’s the biggest lesson you have learnt in recent years?

Sarah's A : The biggest learning for me in recent years has been recognising the importance of being willing to roll up my sleeves and go to work on Self in order to really be in service of others in coaching. Knowing myself broadly and deeply has been critical in being able to really go there with others.

5.What advice would you give to new coaches?

Sarah's A: I would say, know that there is an invisible reality that impacts behaviour in multifarious ways but especially in high stakes contexts. The Childhood Story resides there often doing good but also frequently doing harm when we are under pressure. Don’t be afraid to dare to ask a leader about their childhood story. It’s there in the room with you. Be safe in doing so by getting training so that you enter this territory safely and well and by ensuring you engage in regular supervision. We mostly worry about causing harm by opening things up but know that avoiding ‘going there’ when a Story starts to show itself can also cause harm.

6.If you could wave a magic wand and have one wish for you or your coaching practice, what would it be and why?

Sarah's A : It would be that equipping leaders to gain command of their childhood story becomes an integral and mainstream part of coaching practice and training. And if I really did have a magic wand, reporting of global leaders’ communicative competence under pressure being linked to command of their childhood story would be widespread news! 

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If you’d like to know more about coaching the childhood story, Sarah will be leading our June workshop, for more information and to book tickets "Daring to Ask, Daring to Look: Coaching the Childhood Story” with Sarah Hill
 
            
We look forward to seeing you soon,
Warm wishes.

Carolyn, Hannah, Trish, Jan & Teresa