LEADERSHIP COACHING

"Increased self-awareness is now recognised as a characteristic essential to career success
and improved executive leadership". 

The Korn Ferry Institute 

What is leadership coaching?

“Coaching” is a Professional-Coachee relationship that is designed to facilitate the creation/development of personal, professional or business goals and to develop and carry out a strategy/plan for achieving those goals. 

Leadership coaching is rapid, effective, focused on your career or business and aimed at mid to senior levels of management; team leaders, associates, directors and partners.

1:1 Leadership coaching

Leadership coaching, conducted on a 1:1 basis, is where we work together on agreed targets to develop your individual performance capabilities and to achieve organisational results. Activities or resources,  to help you achieve your goals, might be recommended between scheduled sessions. These may include relevant articles, questionnaires, assessments or models that support the thinking or actions of you or your company. 

A coaching journey typically runs for six sessions (a 1.5hr session every 3-4 weeks). Time between sessions allows you to think, reflect, practice new behaviours and carry out intended actions. Some clients prefer ad-hoc coaching (short intensive, or on an as-needed basis) or quarterly/bi-annual reviews. I am happy to talk about what is right for you and your situation. 

All coaching operates under a confidentiality agreement and within each coaching session, at coaching midpoints and at completion, there is opportunity to give and receive feedback on the coaching journey. 

Sessions are bespoke to the individual, and discussions may be around:

• Goals, vision, mission, strategy

• Leadership capabilities

• Communication

• Strategic networking

• Time management, overwhelm

• Building resilience and confidence

• Specific opportunities or challenges

• New role or transition, next steps

• Redundancy or outplacement

Benefits

• Clarify your personal and organisational goals

• Address specific issues that are impacting your performance levels

• Have support and accountability to help drive performance and remove barriers

• Increase confidence, self-belief and enhance your ability to respond to challenges and opportunities

• Improve your communication up, down and across the organisation, and with external stakeholders

1:1 Leadership coaching across a senior level

A six-month coaching programme, typically running from January to July, offers invaluable support for newly promoted senior leaders in their transition. During dedicated days at your London office (or online), I’ll conduct up to four 1:1 coaching sessions to strengthen leaders’ team leadership skills and equip them to balance strategic responsibilities effectively. The programme also includes group workshops covering Delegation, Feedback, and Productive Conflict, ensuring a well-rounded approach to leadership growth.

Leadership coaching in a group format

Leadership coaching - with the focus on the individual - can take place in a small group format (min 3 people). Each member takes a turn to be the focal client whilst other group members act as an additional coaching resource. This method is good for peer groups (e.g. team leaders, women in architecture, associates) and is cost effective. Coaching is typically run for six sessions (a 2hr session every 3-4 weeks). Read more…

Coach in-residence

This is where I come into your office on an ongoing and regular basis (e.g. monthly). My availability is to both individuals and teams, booked in advance or on the fly. This is a bespoke service to your company and allows employees to have ongoing career support in a confidential environment.

Who is Leadership Coaching for?

Senior leaders  | focus, strategy, change

As a director, partner, or a senior staff member you may be confident taking on new tasks, and may feel that an objective, independent point of view would help achieve a new level of performance. You may also find that by developing a higher level of self-awareness, you will acquire and sharpen skills needed to lead, invoke change and articulate your business vision.  If leaving the company, outplacement or transition support provides you with structure and guidance towards your new career option and preserves the morale of those remaining in the company.

Women leaders  | support, stretch, voice

As a woman in senior management, you want to feel confident articulating ideas and views from team to board level. Exploring your working style in a safe and supportive environment would help you achieve a new level of performance. As a role model and leader, coaching equips you with strategies to overcome obstacles, fostering a strong sense of self-belief.

Support during critical transition points helps you to navigate change, such as moving from mid- to senior-level management, or when decelerating your career to start a family. Self-awareness, conscious behaviour, stretching your comfort zone and active career management are competencies for your success.

Maternity or long-leave returner  | confidence, resilience, balance

Whether returning from maternity leave, caregiving, illness, or an extended break, you might be looking to ease back in or hit the ground running. Building visibility at the office, boosting your confidence, and strengthening resilience will set a solid foundation for your professional return. Navigating relationships effectively, while maintaining balance and flexibility, will be essential to ensure a successful and sustainable re-entry into your career.

Associates and senior designers  | structure, mobility, growth

You may have specific personal or business objectives to meet, along with a desire for forward mobility. Whether focusing on career advancement or balancing external commitments, you’ll want a sound structure for achieving your goals and a coaching partnership that will help you manage the transition and grow. 

Team leaders  | delegation, appreciation, enquiry

As an architect responsible for leading or managing a team, coaching can involve looking at data-driven feedback, developing your strengths and exploring areas that would benefit from improvement or change. Discussions may be around personal communication, delegation, appreciation and conflict scenarios. 

Architects looking at “next career steps” | Exploration, Confidence, Change

As an architect considering your next career steps, you may find yourself at a crossroads, realising that "What got you here won’t get you there." The transition often comes with a mix of emotions—stagnation, excitement, uncertainty, and the need for clarity. Whether you're exploring staying where you are, transitioning to a new firm, working for yourself, or pivoting into a different field, you want a safe space to unpack these options and emotions. With support, you’ll build the confidence and clarity needed to align your next steps with your values and strengths.

If leaving the company outplacement/transition support gives structure and guidance towards your new career option and a strategy for leaving on a good note.

Sole Practitioners | Vision, Strategy, Accountability

As a small business owner—or someone considering the leap into running your own firm—you'll want to step back from the daily workload and focus on your broader vision. Refining your strategy ensures you're steering your business in the right direction for growth and success. You want to be confident of your business's future, recognising areas for improvement while staying aligned with your goals. Having an objective sounding board helps you articulate not only your ambitions but also your concerns. Accountability is key in this journey—together, we’ll transform your ideas into clear, actionable steps that lead to long-term success.

Contact Karen Fugle today to learn how SleepingGiant can help you.
E. karen@sleepinggiant-consulting.com   M. +44 (0) 77628 11703