“It’s not unusual in law firms for lawyers to move slightly away from their fee earning role into the business side of the practice. Shortly before I was made a partner, I was asked to take on a more business focused role.
When we take on a new position there’s a period of time when we are ‘getting to know’ the role. As I went through that, I suppose there was some element of me wanting to make sure that I maintained my self-confidence in the face of a new challenge, but mostly I wanted support during those times that I came up against experiences I hadn’t had before. I was introduced to Liz for Leadership Coaching, as she had previously been a partner in an accountancy firm and I felt she could provide the support I needed.
Liz made it safe for me to openly explore with her how I felt and what I was thinking. She provided an objectivity to my inner voice so that I was able to explore ways of dealing with these new situations and, in doing so, she helped me to reframe the narrative. Liz provided me with the time and space to explore these changes in my career in a safe, non-judgemental and confidential way. This enabled me to maintain my self-confidence and develop stronger relationships with the people I work with.
My own view is that everybody should have someone - and ideally a professional like Liz - who is capable of providing a safe space to process all of the thoughts and feelings that rise up during times of challenge and change.
Liz was objective, non-judgmental and impartial and she gave me that safe space. Without working with someone like Liz, I don’t think we easily get that impartiality in our day-to-day lives. Trying to talk to friends, families, colleagues, about challenges that we face might come with a hint of their opinion through their care for us. Whereas with a coach, and Liz in particular, we are able to explore our own challenges and situation without anybody else’s expectations, objectives or hidden agenda.”
