Seahorse Coaching

“Never under-estimate the merits of coaching, and never under-estimate the insight and challenge that a strong coach can bring. Leslie brings this insight and challenge in buckets. She made me look at myself and my business strategy in ways that I would never have contemplated in the past. She has an incredibly calming persona and a very inquisitive and well-informed mind, which were perfect for provoking our discussion, building confidence and instilling belief, and shaping my thoughts and approach to specific personal and professional matters. Leslie is a first-class coach and I would recommend here to anyone who is perhaps contemplating the next stage in their career, or for those who simply require independent challenge and guidance in respect of their leadership style and/or strategic thinking.”

“Leslie’s coaching has been hugely helpful. During our time working together, I have found her approach to be both supportive and intellectually rigorous, consistently enabling me to step back and interrogate the particular issues and opportunities I brought to the table. Each meeting concluded with a well - defined set of actions, ensuring that I could easily translate insights into tangible progress. Leslie also introduced a small number of simple but effective heuristics, always at the right time. I will draw upon these throughout my professional life”.

“Leslie’s coaching was a gift sent at a critical time for me, both in my personal and professional capacity. Leslie helped me understand that development does not happen overnight but it is a process of establishing how I see myself and how much better I could be by unlocking my potential. The coaching sessions with Leslie enabled me reveal strengths of which I was previously unaware. Leslie provided me that safe harbour, which I often left with bags full of wisdom, enthusiasm and resilience. I am more confident about who I am, the journey I have taken and the direction of travel as a result of coaching sessions with Leslie. I found Leslie as a person with immense integrity and high degree of professionalism. She is full of insights and has an incredible journey in leadership. Her pursuit in becoming a coach is a gift to leadership as she has so much to offer to help leaders through these turbulent times. I would highly recommend Leslie.”

“I have been very grateful to receive high quality coaching advice and support from Leslie. She has been able to challenge me honestly, ask for and enable practical changes around my leadership practice and support me to understand the connection between my personal and work resilience when discharging a role at the highest level of leadership. I have, in using her advice and support, genuinely changed my leadership outlook even with more than 30 years of leadership practice and it has been refreshing to be able to adapt and become more effective. Leslie was able to demonstrate a complete understanding about my environment and adapt the coaching sessions into the areas that were most important to me. I felt confident and secure in all our conversations and felt well supported by the agreement made and the tracking of progress across the coaching sessions. There is a real strength in the way she discharges her coaching support, enhanced in my view by her personal experience of delivering leadership in complex environments. She is able to challenge and put in the package of actions that need to follow in between sessions. She has my highest recommendation for anyone wishing to receive insightful and personal coaching support.”

“I found our sessions to be a very safe and non judgemental space to reflect on challenges in what was a new role for me. Our sessions were also time to consider what was going well and take a step back to breathe. Through these sessions I was able to actively reflect on how I might be perceived by colleagues - and by myself. Our exploratory conversations were often tied to deeper themes of self doubt, and the importance of knowing what I stand for, articulating this with clarity and therefore leading with this, front and centre. I really appreciated the kind approach and links made to wellbeing in every session. Beyond coaching, your advice and clarity of thinking on the importance of looking after yourself, both physically and mentally, and the healthy challenge on confidence to ask for what I need, was extremely beneficial - something I have not had from anyone else in this role.’

“I have really loved working with Leslie. Her approach to coaching is clearly founded not just on a wealth of professional experience but also on great emotional intelligence and a true sense of perspective. She has really engaged with me as a whole person not just a professional, and has helped me to really valuable insights on my values and aspirations as well as identifying practical ways to become a better leader.”

‘Leslie helped me navigate through a particularly challenging time at work, and help me prepare for some big decisions. She helped me feel in control and ready, rather than buffered by events'

“I engaged in a second series of coaching sessions with Leslie to further develop as a Chief Executive in the spheres of strategic influence and impact. The sessions were particularly stretching around professional decision making and judgement, encompassing a strong narrative and evidence base as well as clear alignment with values. Leslie deployed a variety of techniques to support me in being more self-aware, thinking more deeply about change and relationships, whilst ensuring I retained a strong focus on my personal resilience. During challenging times as a leader, the value of coaching cannot be underestimated, and I am grateful to have benefitted from Leslie’ extensive skill, techniques and experience”.