executive coaching for third sector
leaders - helping you to achieve your full potential

As a leader, you devote time and resources to developing your team – but who helps you to achieve peak performance, think through the complex strategic, financial and interpersonal issues facing your organisation and manage your career in the sector?

The most effective form of management development for senior executives is often a one to one coaching programme, delivered by a professional coach and tailored to your needs. Indeed, one recent study* found that executive coaching produced three times as much improvement in overall performance as other management development techniques.

It can help you to build on your strengths, bring fresh thinking to difficult challenges and develop the intangible qualities which distinguish true leaders; the capacity to develop and express vision, to think strategically, to inspire others and to build support within and outside your organisations.

Action Planning has adapted executive coaching techniques to the particular needs of the third sector. Our coaches are all professionally trained, have first hand experience of third sector management, understand the ethos of the sector and have access to the full range of people and expertise in Action Planning, one of the leading UK consultancies.

Our coaches deliver tangible, defined results, lift aspirations, build capacity and can help you to transform performance. They are non-judgemental, non-critical and confidential. They work with you and your organisation to achieve measurable results through using a variety of specific, powerful strategies. Areas of work may include:

• Leadership development
• Raising performance and maximising resources
• Handling a new role
• Leading and managing change
• Improving management style and building effective communications
• Resolving conflict and behavioural problems
• Becoming more ‘outcome’ instead of ‘problem’ focused
• Building self confidence
• Career planning
• Stress management and work-life balance

We provide clear and consistent support, balanced and objective feedback, the impetus to change and the tools you need. We believe in supportive, imaginative coaching based on real-life work situations.

Executive coaching from Action Planning can be a life changing experience.

*HR Outlook magazine

How we work

Our executive coaches work principally with chief executives and departmental directors, though the process works equally effectively with other key personnel.

Executive coaching is focused on working with each individual client to achieve specific organisational and personal goals. Our coaches works with you in a confidential environment to build self-belief and capacity, challenge and question perceptions, and develop awareness and understanding, through a personalised plan to meet mutually agreed objectives.

Each executive coaching programme is different, but may include some of the following:

• Initial meeting to agree the broad scope and desired outcomes. This session for the coachee and coach may also include the coachee's line manager or chair. Information may be collected through feedback, interviews and existing performance reviews

• Feedback meeting with the coachee to discuss all the feedback and to agree on strengths and development opportunities

• An action plan developed collaboratively by the coachee and coach, then discussed with the line manager or chair

• Coaching which can take number of forms but is most often via periodic face-to-face or telephone meetings with the coach. Other activities can include work shadowing, external training, review of learning materials and continuous feedback

• Progress review/evaluation with the coach of the improvements made, and review of this data with the coachee and line manager or chair

• Closure - agreement with the coachee and line manager of a forward action plan to ensure that the coachee continues to develop, possibly with the support of further coaching

Professional coaches with a background in the third sector

Lesley Thompson Lesley is a highly experienced corporate and executive coach. She has spent a large part of her career at senior executive and board level within the third sector including senior management roles at Barnardo’s, ICRF (now Cancer Research UK) and Mencap.

Grace Thompson An accredited executive coach and career management professional, Grace has over eighteen years’ experience of coaching senior leaders from the commercial, public and third sectors to help them manage their careers and tackle organisational challenges.

Client Feedback

“Lesley delved very deep and really made us think. She challenged us in a constructive and empowering way and there will be a big impact on our business. We are already recommending her to others.” Claire Heyting and Alison Clarke, CEOs Jigsaw

“Grace got under the skin of our organisation so quickly. Her questioning was spot on and as a result of her coaching we are now in a much stronger position to face the challenges of the coming months.” Beverley Costa, Director, Mothertongue Counseling
and Listening Service

“Lesley’s coaching saved my life! She helped me to think through and take on the challenges of my new role and deliver outstanding results. I have been able to achieve things I didn’t think were possible and at the same time restore a greater work life balance.” Sharon Vestby, Senior Manager, Tree Tops Hospice

“The coaching developed my leadership capabilities which took the charity to new levels of programme delivery and funding. I can strongly recommend Grace as an executive coach and working with her gave the charity a measurable return on its investment.” Mark Davey, Director, Mitchemp Trust

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