Career coaching

Why I love being a career coach Part 2 – Peter Wilford

January 6, 2021 By // by Rachel Brushfield

This is a 2 part blog by Peter Wilford. This is part 2.

Read part 1: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/why-i-love-being-a-career-coach-part-1-peter-wilford/

Giving people focus.

As a Career Coach we need to be flexible in our style and approach to each client and their specific and unique requirements. Clients also need to know where they are going and how to get there. I am naturally structured and like to give clients a focus so that they know that they are following a clear path and can see and track their progress along the way.

This does not work for everyone of course and nor should it. When I get feedback that “you gave me a real focus to everything we did which was hugely beneficial” I know that I have delivered. I enjoy working to agreed deadlines and keeping people on song!

Positive Testimonials.

We all like getting feedback from people we work with. I have had many fantastic testimonials over the years from happy clients and this has been great. Many of them have kept in touch with me and I with them long after they have finished a programme.

Some have been with me for over 10 years and they have referred other people to me. I am always very driven and professional with my clients and don’t expect feedback without fully deserving it but it is still good to hear that my work has helped them in some way.

Getting results.

This is always motivational. For many clients a good result is not purely getting a new job. It can be to recover from a bad redundancy experience, discover new skills and undertake further training, fulfil a life-long dream to set up a business, get feedback from a successful presentation or land an interim assignment.

I especially enjoy when the outcome is different from our initial assessment and the client has surprised themselves and proved themselves completely wrong by moving into an area of work that they had never imagined in their wildest dreams would be where they would end up.

Read why I love career coaching by Rachel Brushfield: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/why-i-love-career-coaching-rachel-brushfield/

Why I love being a career coach Part 1 – Peter Wilford

January 6, 2021 By // by Rachel Brushfield

This is a 2 part blog by Peter Wilford. This is part 1.

Understanding people and what makes them tick.
I love meeting people for the first time and getting to know their unique story. I enjoy finding out what makes them tick and why they do the work that they have chosen to do. I like having these conversations outside work, at dinner parties, over a coffee or when meeting someone new.

My innate personality and interests underpin this. I have become very self-aware from doing many psychometric assessments during my HR and Training career and that has made me even more fascinated by other people and inquisitive about them. As well as this I have always had a genuine interest in others and I like to feel that I can quickly put people at ease with my warmth and openness – also with my humour!

The fact that I can do this professionally is a fantastic bonus and that is why when I first became a career coach at age 42, I realised that I was doing something that I really enjoy.

Making a difference.
There is no doubt that I have helped to change people’s lives, both directly and indirectly, through the work that I do and that this is very rewarding and a driver for me. It can be in many ways. It may be by helping them to secure a new position against the odds, encouraging them to go it alone and set up a new business or just to give them a focus and new sense of self-worth when their confidence and self-esteem has been at a low point.

I have seen visible changes in people for example when they see what they have really achieved at work captured effectively in their CV, learnt some fresh insights into their personality which make them realise what is unique about them and why then can change direction in their careers or just by helping them nail a job interview and convert it into an offer. I enjoy every new success and this has spurred me on to the next challenge.

Variety.
No two clients are the same and no two days are identical. I enjoy that. At any one point I can be working with 15 or more clients from across the whole of life and society. I used to have a saying that my clients varied from “Bankers to Ballerinas, Lawyers to Florists” and that is true.

Recently, I have been working with a CEO of a Mid-sized Pharma company, a recruitment consultant who wants to move into Risk Management, a fresh graduate who is rudderless, A change management consultant in Financial Services, a Criminal Lawyer who is developing a portfolio career, a Senior Payments executive, an Insurance Underwriter who is the other side of the world, a publishing specialist who is looking to work freelance, a Chief of Staff in the Retail sector, and a virtual PA. As well as this I have 10-15 outplacement clients all moving on from recent or pending redundancy.

I have learned to switch quickly from client to client during the day and provide a seamless level of support to each one. All of this is motivational and enjoyable. I also do some other work as well as Career Coaching and that gives me fresh focus when I return to my real passion.

Read Why I love career coaching by Rachel Brushfield: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/why-i-love-career-coaching-rachel-brushfield/

Why I love career coaching – Rachel Brushfield

December 28, 2020 By // by Rachel Brushfield

I love career coaching for many reasons.

I have been coaching for over 20 years now, and I still love it as much now as I did at the beginning.

Why do I LOVE my job?

YOU! My clients.

Some become friends.

Many come back at another career crossroads, sometimes 10 years after the first time we worked together.

Why I love career coaching

Inspiring clients – my clients really inspire me and I learn a lot from them. I find it fascinating how people are different and see the world differently and yet how the themes are similar across all of them, e.g. lack of fulfilment, not liking marketing themselves, low self-belief etc.

Help people to help themselves – my job is to help my clients to clarify what they want and help them to get it. I am simply a catalyst and a pair of wing mirrors!

Self-awareness – I enjoy helping my clients to understand themselves better. This so important, especially in challenging times. I have done a lot of personal development work on myself. Awareness of the importance of this is growing, even amongst left brain cynical markets e.g. lawyers and engineers.

Reframing – we all get too close to ourselves to see solutions. Reframing something to help a client to become unstuck, is useful – new or different perspectives.

Positivity – I am naturally optimistic and this is very useful in the uncertain times in which we live, for people who see the world as half-empty rather than half-full, and with growing competition in many markets, whether you are employed or self-employed.

Sharing ideas – one of my best skills is coming up with ideas for careers or businesses for my clients which play to their strengths. I have an insights and ideas brain!

Internal and external – career coaching is a combination of looking internally, within yourself, and externally, at the market and opportunities. I love helping my clients do both. My career heritage is in marketing and strategy, so I have useful tools and frameworks to help my clients to do this.

Overcoming blocks – understanding and overcoming a block to move forward is really satisfying. Pain then relief from the pain, gives you a brilliant ‘lift’, overcoming something that felt so difficult, so that you can move forwards.

Making a difference – a career takes up so much of our lives and has huge impact on relationships, money and happiness. It is a privilege to help people improve this.

Creative – coaching is a creative process. Sometimes I create an exercise for a client or get them to use a prop e.g. a knotty piece of string to help them to create a shift, or to create a drawing.

Connect people – I have always been a natural connector. Introducing my clients to each other for ideas and support, helps them build their network, and enables potential collaborations and opportunities.

Uniqueness – everyone is absolutely unique and yet most don’t see this or define it. A personal brand is a great way to do this.

Building confidence – many people lack confidence. Not all admit this. Helping to build someone’s inner confidence and conviction like the words through a ‘stick of rock’ is one of the most important projects in life.

Growing your resilience – I am very resilient as is my husband who inspires me so much. There are practical tools to do this, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Marketing you – many people dislike marketing themselves. This is becoming more important. You CAN find ways to do this comfortably, I promise.

Helping my clients to allow themselves to be who they really are and do what they want to do is why I love career coaching.

What do my clients think? https://liberateyourtalent.wordpress.com/energise-client-testimonials/

Get in touch: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/contact-us/

Is career coaching worth it?

December 21, 2020 By // by Rachel Brushfield

Is career coaching useful?

Is career coaching worth the cost?

Is career coaching really worth it?

This blog tackles these questions head on.

Below are some of the conversations that you may be having with yourself, or with your partner/friends about whether to do career coaching or not.

I’m too busy and lack time

30 mins. coaching/week saves 8+ hours /week because you become more focused, productive etc.
Alot is achieved with just 30 minutes coaching/week or fortnight
Coaching often takes place on the phone/Zoom so it is very convenient and can fit into even the most hectic of schedules/lives.
We are happy to do early bird weekend appointments (I am an early bird!) and also weekend appointments.

I can’t afford coaching

Clients say that the results from coaching, whether saving time, making more money, feeling more fulfilled etc. are more than worth the investment
We provide additional added value, sharing marketing & personal brand insights as well as coaching with our clients
With outplacement (redundancy coaching/counselling), your new job is more likely to be achieved faster and with a higher salary than without coaching, so you end up banking more of your redundancy money and ultimately saving money
Often people unfulfilled in their jobs make ‘comfort’ purchases to make themselves feel better. This is a temporary ‘fix’. Career coaching to identify the right career for you provides sustainable reward
Many people have saved money in 2020 because of Covid-19, as they haven’t had the cost of train or tube tickets/petrol or lunch and coffees. This could be your budget pot for your career coaching

Getting coaching is ‘a sign of weakness‘

Coaching, as with sports coaching is about enabling already talented people to achieve even more and bring out their best
Many famous people, the perception of whom is far from weak, have a coach e.g. Madonna, President Clinton etc.

Wise people ask for help rather than struggle

How do I know that career coaching will really be worth the time, money and energy?

You can speak with Rachel’s clients to hear it from the horse’s mouth & read our client case studies and testimonials
Coaches have a coach – they would hardly pay for/do it if it didn’t work!
Coaching has agreed timeframes and goals and makes clients self-sufficient & more resourceful – it’s not an ‘open-ended arrangement’

My job is to help people so that they don’t need me any more

When my clients come back at their next major career crossroads, sometimes over 10 years later, this makes me so happy

Isn’t coaching like therapy?

No, coaching isn’t like therapy because it is practical, has goals and focuses on moving forward positively. It’s all about achieving more in the present and creating the future you want
With therapy, the past is an issue, with coaching it’s a fact. Therapy is about addressing issues from the past because without doing this, the client can’t move forward positively.

A coach tells you what to do, I don’t like being told what to do

This is the complete opposite of what happens – a key principle of coaching is that the client has all the answers within them and if they come up with their own solutions, it is more empowering
Coaching gives the client time and space to think, reflect and plan and the coach acts as a sounding board, facilitating & focusing the client’s reflection and turning these into focused actions to move forward towards defined goals. The coach shares any thoughts & ideas only with the client’s permission
Friends and family might tell you what they think you should do, but a coach certainly doesn’t, they are completely objective and yet supportive to your desired outcome. The people closest to you can be a barrier to you, because they have their own agenda and may fear change. E.g. they may like the status or money associated with your current role or career

Partner objects e.g. career change or partner confiding in someone other than them

They can have a chat with me so that they feel comfortable
It may be relevant to have a joint coaching session with you and your partner to work through the blocks
The increased happiness and fulfilment of you being in the right role for you has a positive knock-on effect on your loved ones, whether a partner and/or children
Fear of change is part of being human and this can be explored in the coaching

More

“5 times career coaching is well worth the splurge”. Muse article: https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-times-a-career-coach-is-well-worth-the-splurge

How to choose a career coach: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/how-to-choose-a-career-coach/

How does career coaching work? https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/how-does-career-coaching-work/

Interesting in having a no obligation chat to explore how career coaching could help you? Get in touch:https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/contact-us/

How to choose a career coach

December 3, 2020 By // by Rachel Brushfield

Did you know that coaching is an unregulated market?

What this means is that anyone can set up and call themselves a coach.

With training of only 1 weekend.

Or less.

Scary thought!

So how do you choose a career coach?

About me

I have been coaching for over 20 years and was one of the first in the market.

My chosen training route following extensive research was NLP (neurolinguistic programming) – this gave structured support and a plethora of useful tools and insights. It was also a personal journey of heightened self-awareness and I made some lifelong friends.

At a time when there is a lot of financial uncertainty and worry in the world, as a result of Covid-19, it is important to do your due diligence when selecting a coach and deciding to spend your money.

16 questions to choose the right career coach for you

What does a Google search about them tell you re client case studies and thought leadership?
What training have they done?
What personal development have they done/do they do on themselves?
Do they have a coach or mentor themselves?
What client testimonials do they have on their LinkedIn profile and on their web site?
How active are they on social media?
What ego do they have? Will the coaching be about you or about them?
What is the quality and profile of their network?
Do they have specific experience relevant to your unique career crossroads?
What networking do they do to grow their network?
What knowledge do they have of your profession/sector?
Do you ‘connect’ with them as a person? Do you feel that you can be open with them, as topics such as confidence and fears are part of coaching?
Is their personality type different to you as this contrast can be useful to help you to think differently and grow?
Do they have Professional Indemnity Insurance?
How do they add value compared to other coaches?
What does their brand say about them?

What do our clients say about our style/approach?

At the end of each coaching programme, we get our clients to complete a form to reflect on their journey and for us to learn. It asks these 7 questions.

What do you think/feel the process of being coached gives people?
What has being coached given you personally, speaking from your own experience?
What positive insights, changes, initiatives or achievements, however small, do you feel that you have made since starting coaching?
To what extent has coaching been instrumental in the occurrence and speed etc of these positive insights, changes, initiatives or achievements, as a cynic might say that they would have happened anyway without coaching?
To what extent do you feel that you have achieved the goals that you set out at the start of the coaching? Please state some tangible achievements.
How would you describe Rachel Brushfield’s style of coaching?
How could Rachel Brushfield improve her services/approach to better meet people’s needs?

A summary of the answers to Question 6 about style of coaching in our clients’ own words is located here: https://liberateyourtalent.wordpress.com/energise-style/

Read our client testimonials: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/testimonials/

Get in touch to explore how career coaching with Energise could help you to achieve your career goal. We provide a 20 minute no-obligation meeting to explore your needs and if we are the right coach for you. Some of our clients chosen new career is becoming a coach, so they or other coaches in our network may be a better fit for you.

A couple of clients who we helped to become coaches

Ruth Farenga, founder of Mindful Pathway: https://mindfulpathway.co.uk/

Ruth has lots of knowledge and contacts in tech, and mindfulness and authentic leaders are her areas of coaching expertise.

Valerie Teller, founder of Switched On Coaching. Valerie is very creative but chose to train as a barrister. She retrained as a company secretary, then as a coach.

https://switchedoncoaching.com/

We learn alot from the people we coach. It is one of the benefits of being a coach and we meet some fabulous people, such as Ruth and Valerie.

The fact that our clients return at their next major career crossroads means alot to us. Sometimes this is a gap of ten years.

Rachel Brushfield’s Myers Brigg profile is INTJ and Peter Wilford’s is ESFJ.

https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/testimonials/