UNLOCK YOUR PROFESSIONAL POTENTIAL

There are no shortages of executive coaches so why should you be coached by me?

• I have worked in healthcare for  33 years.
• I made a big career  change in my mid 50s that has proved to be highly rewarding and successful 
• I have experienced difficulties with my mental wellbeing for most of my working life. Some of  these were caused by non-work factors and some were caused by work.  I learned to  manage my health and work so that most of the time one did not affect the other.
• I was involved in a very significant adverse event over 20 years ago that almost derailed my career but in effect made me stronger. 
• For most of my career  I was a  GP partner in a large NHS Practice.
• I experienced burnout that led me to decide I needed to change directions with my work.
• All of the above have provided me with a wealth of experiences that I can bring to coaching to help others. 
• I am a qualified coach. I am studying for the ILM Level 7  Diploma in Executive Coaching and Mentoring. The first year of the course has been successfully completed effectively giving me a Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring. 

Coaching has relatively  quickly become a large and prosperous industry.  The International Coaching Federation (ICF) 2020 Global Coaching Study showed there were approximately 71,000 coach practitioners and it was estimated that 65% of coaching activity was in the business sector.  In 2020 it was estimated that 79% of medium and large businesses in the United Kingdom were currently using coaching. 

However, there is no agreement on  defining what is coaching.

The ICF defines coaching as  “partnering with clients in a thought provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential”. 

Another definition that I like to use is from my Coaching Diploma course Tutor (J Matthews) who says that  coaching is “Any purposeful conversation that supports another in making progress towards a preferred future.” 

Whatever definition one uses, coaching involves a professional relationship in which a trained coach works with an individual or a group to help them achieve personal or professional goals, enhance their performance and develop their skills. The coach provides guidance, support and feedback to the coachee/client to help them identify their strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement.

There are a variety of  techniques and coaching models that a coach can use and a good coach will have a repertoire of theses, using different strategies for different clients and for the same client at different times in the coaching relationship. 

My preferred coaching style is Solutions Focussed Coaching but I use other techniques as well.

Solutions Focused Coaching  encourages clients to focus on possibilities, rather than the problem they are experiencing  and also not to focus on things that are  beyond their control to change.  The Henley Business School describes Solutions Focused Coaching, as an approach which “encourages employees or coaches to take personal responsibility and focus on future actions to direct these towards a specific goal using their personal strengths to best effect.”

A common question is what is the difference between Coaching and Mentoring? 

A mentor is often considered to be more a senior person working in the same organisation or field of work who shares  their insights and knowledge with someone who is less experienced, usually more junior and often  a colleague. A mentor provides more guidance than facilitation and mentoring relationships often last a few years. 

A coach does not need to have extensive knowledge of the profession the client works in, does not have to have more senior status and often does not have a  professional connection with the client. The coaching relationship frequently  lasts less than a year and a  coach practises more facilitation than explaining and suggesting what the client should do.

However most coaches/mentors do not consider these to be distinct approaches; 

A person who mostly works as a coach may do some mentoring and vice versa and during a coaching relationship there will be times when  the coach and client may agree that a mentoring approach would be beneficial. 

Likewise, a Mentor will often use coaching models and techniques.

• I am happy to consider coaching  anyone who is UK based 
• All my  coaching takes place virtually and therefore it does not matter where my clients are located in the UK 
• I am happy to work with clients who have approached me directly or with organisations/companies who would like me to coach one or more employees
• At present I only do 1:1 sessions, I do not do group/team coaching
• Before entering into  a coaching relationship I always hold a  30 minute “Chemistry Session” with the prospective client. This allows us to get to know each other, to understand what the client wants help with and what they are hoping to achieve. It is also important to  establish that  we can work together. There is no charge for this session.
• There is no set number of sessions nor duration  of a coaching relationship.  I often suggest 6 sessions over 6-12 months but there can be more or less sessions over a shorter or longer timescale, depending on what is best for the client. 

• To make an enquiry or to book a coaching session please use the “contact us” button or email me via the “get in touch” button or  directly to drpauldaviscoaching@gmail.com. If you use the contact form and do not get a reply within 48 hours please send a direct email
• All coaching is performed using Zoom 
• Each session is scheduled to last  1 hour
• I am usually available early mornings, evenings and Sundays.
• I understand we all run late from time to time and therefore I will wait up to 10 minutes for you to join the call.   The session will last 60 minutes from the time it was due to start
• Each session has to be paid in advance no later than 24 hours before the appointment time. If payment is not received the session  will be cancelled
• Cancellations within 24 hours of the session time will incur a charge of the full cost of the session, unless there are extenuating circumstances. 
• The cost of a coaching session is £100. Payment details will be provided after the Chemistry Session.
• A contract will be issued before the coaching commences that details the duties and responsibilities of the coach and the client.
• I am a member of a Professional Body;  the UK section of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council 
• I abide by the Global Code of Ethics for Coaches and General Medical Council's Duties of a Doctor
• I have professional indemnity insurance
• I attend regular supervision sessions to help  my development as a coach
• I undertake regular continuing professional development activities 
• It is important for my development as a coach  to receive regular feedback from my clients and  therefore I usually ask for a brief feedback survey to be completed after every 2-3 sessions.