Coaching is often spoken about as a buzzword -- usually alongside references to famous sporting coaches like Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola. In other situations, it can be viewed as a routine part of performance management: a necessary exercise rather than something meaningful. In my experience, coaching is far more powerful than either of those extremes.
Some of the most impactful moments in my 25+ year career in Financial Services have come through coaching -- whether as a coach, protégé, or team member. What makes coaching so valuable is its ability to be both informal and highly impactful at the same time. It creates space for people to take ownership of their development while building trust, confidence, and self-belief in ways that few other development approaches can achieve.
One of the most rewarding aspects of coaching is seeing people grow in confidence as they gain clarity on their goals and belief in their own abilities. Those “aha” moments -- when a new perspective clicks or when a team realizes a different approach is needed -- are some of the experiences I value most as a coach.
I have also seen coaching act as a catalyst for transformation, helping people discover strengths they did not realize they had and encouraging them to think beyond perceived limitations. At the same time, coaching has helped me grow personally -- strengthening existing skills, building new capabilities, and shaping my own leadership journey.
Principles that guide my approach to coaching
1. Coaching is not about the coach
Effective coaching is not about imposing your own ideas or solutions. It is about creating an environment where people can discover their own answers and develop confidence in their judgement. My role is to listen, guide, and support -- while ensuring the protégé owns both the relationship and the outcomes.
2. Psychological safety creates trust
Trust is fundamental to any successful coaching relationship. People need to feel they are in a safe environment where they can speak openly about both challenges and successes. Without that foundation, coaching risks becoming a tick-box exercise rather than a meaningful development experience. I have seen individuals and teams exceed even their own expectations once that trust and confidence are established.
3. Listen to what is said -- and what is not said
One of the most valuable skills a coach can develop is active listening. When people feel genuinely heard, they are often more willing to share openly, leading to deeper conversations and better outcomes. As the philosopher Epictetus said: “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
4. Coaching is a two-way growth journey
Coaching is never one-sided. Coaches grow alongside their protégés and teams. Through coaching, I have strengthened skills such as listening, influencing, and stakeholder engagement, while also gaining a deeper appreciation for different perspectives, cultures, and definitions of success. Diverse teams, in particular, thrive when different ways of thinking are encouraged within a shared framework of goals and standards.
5. Celebrate progress along the way
It is easy to focus only on outcomes, but the most effective coaching relationships recognize the importance of the journey as well. Celebrating small wins builds momentum, reinforces confidence, and helps individuals and teams continue progressing toward their goals.