Coach In The Spotlight - Sarah Jones

What were your thoughts after attending The Coaching Academy’s two-day taster?

I came away and thought – I can do this, I really can. I found the presentations inspiring and engaging. I knew I wanted to take the opportunity, I wanted to be the person presenting one day – and every journey starts with a first step.  

What profession were you in before coaching?

I’ve been working in public relations and corporate communications for over 20 years now, both in-house and agency-side. I’ve enjoyed my career, and I still do as a consultant, and I have worked with some fantastic organisations across many challenges.   What area of coaching do you specialise in?

So far, I have worked with individuals across a range of topics including life/time management and setting goals. I am developing a specialist programme around transitioning from permanent employee to self employed, as this is something which I have done so I have some experience of that transition.   Has Coaching given you a sense of purpose? I f so how?

I’ve always been a goal-oriented, can-do person. My coach training has ‘turbo charged’ those aspects of my character and life ! Over the last few years I’ve been aware that I wanted to evolve my career direction, but I wasn’t sure what to do. I tried a variety of subjects. I was also aware how passionate I was about self development and fulfilment, and when leading teams, how I liked to see people progress and fulfil their own goals. Through some self-analysis and formulating my vision…I became aware that coaching could be the answer. I explored a number of courses and options and in fact it was my own coach that recommended the two –day free workshop. I mulled it over and realised that yes – coaching could fulfil my vision, and encompass many of my top values. Even if I have been working during the day, I still feel energised by coaching. I feel privileged to hear peoples’ stories and to facilitate their next moves.

Has coaching become a new career path for you? If so how did you make the transition?

I am currently on this journey and have figured out a plan of transition so that, in coaching terms, the challenge is chunked down, so it feels realistic and manageable to me.

How has coaching helped your existing career?

I’ve had coaching for different areas of my life for around ten years now and I cannot begin to describe the shifts that it has helped me to make. I’ve had several occasions where a well-placed question has enabled me to stop, think and have a major ‘aha’ moment.  

I also find that coaching skillsets do help at work. The ability to listen and the ability to ask pertinent questions.

What did you enjoy most about gaining your coaching qualification?

The sense of achievement and meeting the goals I set myself for qualifying. I remember the exact conversations and times that I had with Steve Fox discussing various options – and now I have my PPD, and soon to have my corporate & business diploma! I feel proud of myself for doing this whilst working full-time. I really enjoyed the learning and little sparks of inspiration I received which has impacted other areas of my life in unmeasurable ways.