coaching — I THINK — Stephen Burrell

coaching

Coaching isn’t a quick fix

As a coach, I can share the research, the data, and the average return on investment, but I can’t and definitely won’t promise specific outcomes. There are too many “get rich quick” or “guaranteed weight loss” schemes online. That’s not what coaching is, and it's unethical for coaches to make those kinds of claims. Instead, do good. Seek out opportunities to do good proactively. Here are five ways you can do that:

  1. Educate yourself
    Learn about diversity, inclusion, psychological safety, cultural awareness, and access barriers. Stay curious.

  2. Self-assess
    Ask yourself: “Where am I now?” “How am I doing?” “How am I coming across to others?”I have a leadership assessment form available, just send me an email and I’ll be happy to share it with you.

  3. Practice self-reflection
    Regularly ask: “What impact am I having?” and “How am I showing up in my actions and words?”

  4. Communicate your openness
    Diversity isn’t only visual. Ask yourself: “How am I communicating what I value and who I serve?”

  5. Expand access
    Coaching can be transformative. I constantly consider how I can increase access to it for people who may not be able to afford it.

Consider the power dynamics

c/o Shamillah Wilson ©

How do I, as a coach, embody and demonstrate professionalism, collaboration, humanity, and equity?
There is a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This means recognising the identities of different groups, treating people fairly, and understanding that bias and systemic inequality exist, even when they are unintentional or go unnoticed. Our personal beliefs may say one thing, but our actions, biases, and the systems we operate within may tell a different story. That’s why I think it’s essential to engage in self-reflection, challenge assumptions, and actively work toward creating equitable spaces. What do you think?

Hold space for others

How are you holding space for others to thrive?
I think self-awareness is a key component of success in the DEI space. There is so much nuance and ambiguity in DEI work that many of the necessary skills will develop over time. Much of the knowledge required to become a subject matter expert comes from lived experience, trial, and error. Many traditional frameworks and approaches to DEI have failed in the past…
In a world where everything revolves around technology, we must not forget the crucial role that human emotions play.

,

Skin in the game

,

In my experience, I have discovered a crucial factor that determines the effectiveness of leadership development, having “skin in the game.” Over the years, I have shared leadership insights and strategies with many professionals, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee. A striking pattern emerged, when people received guidance for free, they rarely implemented it. However, when they paid for the same advice, implementation rates skyrocketed. This observation highlights an important truth: commitment increases when there is something at stake. In our society, money is a common way to ensure this commitment. When individuals invest financially in their growth, they are more likely to take action and extract value from the experience.

Coaching keys

c/o Forbes ©

A good coach delivers key qualities that foster growth and success, including:

  • Self-belief

  • Self-motivation

  • Choice

  • Clarity

  • Commitment

  • Awareness

  • Responsibility

  • Action

Confidentiality is a fundamental principle of coaching, ensuring that any information obtained during the coaching engagement remains protected unless explicit consent is given for its release. However, confidentiality may be broken if the client expresses intent to harm themselves or others, or if disclosure is required by law.

Silence is golden

Yesterday, I was asked for a list of clients, and I explained that my coaching clients are confidential. As a result, I cannot reveal the names of the individuals, organisations or companies with whom I work with. Confidentiality is the essence of my business ethics, all my clients sign NDAs, and I promise not to use their names or affiliations for any promotional purposes. However, they are free to refer me to their colleagues, family, or friends.

Marking the moment

When a leader demoralises an entire team by undermining a project, when a team member checks out and doesn’t pull their weight, or when a bully forces a future star to quit the organisation, we too often shrug our shoulders and justify it. We tell ourselves that this person has tenure, possesses key vocational skills, or simply insist, “He really isn’t that bad.” I think by doing so, we signal to everyone else that poor behaviour is acceptable and that competence or longevity excuses toxicity.

Over time, this tolerance erodes trust, stifles innovation, and drives top talent away. Those who remain become disengaged, wary of stepping forward for fear that bad actors will continue unchecked. The cost of inaction isn’t just a hit to morale, it’s lost productivity, damaged reputations, and an organisational culture that rewards survival over excellence.The real question isn’t whether we can afford to challenge these individuals, but whether we can afford not to.

The Oscar coaching model

The O.S.C.A.R. model makes sense as a solution-focused coaching framework as it effectively emphasises goal setting, understanding the present state, evaluating choices, taking action, and reviewing progress. The flow is logical and encourages forward momentum rather than dwelling on problems.

Outcome - Define the desired outcome and set clear goals for the session.

Situation - Understand the client’s current circumstances and emotions.

Choices & Consequences - Explore potential choices and their impacts.

Actions - Identify the next steps to move forward.

Review - Plan for follow-up and progress assessment.

Change your mindset

Would you like to strengthen your confidence and boldness?
Over the past decade, you've likely heard about the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. The key to becoming mentally stronger lies in habits. Having studied habit formation for the past six years, I’ve learned that repetition is essential, and success depends on the systems and frameworks we put in place. Many people believe their brains are wired in a fixed way, making it difficult for them to challenge that notion. Self-regulation is tough, but as a coach, I am here to support you and hold you accountable.

Challenging assumptions

One of the biggest challenges in coaching a sales team is bridging the gap between varying levels of skill and motivation to ensure that every member can contribute meaningfully to collective success. Rather than simply elevating the lowest common denominator, effective coaching focuses on unlocking individual potential, fostering a culture of continuous growth, and creating synergy within the team. My approach centres on aligning both the head and heart, I mean engaging team members both intellectually and emotionally, so that they operate with clarity, confidence, and a shared sense of purpose.

Contact me via email to schedule a 1:1 meeting.

,

Encourage creative thinking

,

Encouraging creative thinking and embracing new ideas are essential responsibilities of an effective leader, as innovation fuels progress and keeps teams engaged. To cultivate a culture where creativity thrives, leaders must create a safe and supportive environment that allows individuals to experiment, take calculated risks, and view failures as valuable learning opportunities rather than setbacks. By fostering an atmosphere where employees feel empowered to share fresh perspectives and challenge conventional thinking, you not only inspire greater innovation but also drive the organisation forward in an ever-evolving business landscape.

If you're ready to enhance your leadership skills and create a more engaged, motivated, and high-performing team, let's connect. Contact me via email to schedule a 1:1 discovery meeting and take the next step in your leadership journey.

,

Leading organisational growth

,

A defining trait of strong leadership is the commitment to investing in the development of team members, as fostering their growth leads to both individual and organisational advancement. Offering opportunities such as mentorship, professional training, and skill-building initiatives not only enables employees to progress in their careers but also strengthens the overall capabilities of the workforce. By actively supporting the personal and professional aspirations of your team, you cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improvement, which in turn enhances innovation, productivity, and long-term success for the organisation as a whole.

If you're ready to enhance your leadership skills and create a more engaged, motivated, and high-performing team, let's connect. Contact me via email to schedule a 1:1 discovery meeting and take the next step in your leadership journey.

,

Willingness to listen

,

c/o New York Times

Effective communication serves as the foundation of strong leadership, requiring not only the ability to articulate ideas clearly but also the willingness to actively listen to others. True communication goes beyond simply exchanging words; it involves paying attention to verbal expressions, non-verbal cues, and underlying emotions, ensuring that messages are received and understood as intended. Providing constructive feedback and fostering an atmosphere where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts can significantly enhance collaboration and trust. When leaders prioritise communication, they create alignment within their teams, reduce misunderstandings, and ultimately drive organisational success.

If you're ready to enhance your leadership skills and create a more engaged, motivated, and high-performing team, let's connect. Contact me via email to schedule a 1:1 discovery meeting and take the next step in your leadership journey.

,

Moving from me to we

,

Resilience is a crucial trait for any leader, as it enables them to navigate challenges, maintain focus under pressure, and recover quickly from setbacks. The ability to adapt and persevere in difficult circumstances is what distinguishes a strong leader from the rest, ensuring that obstacles do not derail progress but instead serve as opportunities for growth and learning. By cultivating resilience within yourself and encouraging your team to do the same, you create a culture of perseverance, adaptability, and strength, equipping the organisation to overcome adversity and emerge even stronger in the face of change.

If you're ready to enhance your leadership skills and create a more engaged, motivated, and high-performing team, let's connect. Contact me via email to schedule a 1:1 discovery meeting and take the next step in your leadership journey.

Strong mentality

My values are my life raft but how do I hold onto them while chasing the next goal and training the next generation to develop mental strength as a young man? I’ve asked myself this question many times. When reflecting on the highest-achieving organisations I’ve been part of—those that have overcome the most obstacles—I often ask: What were the defining attributes of the key leader at that time? In 90% of cases, the answer is the same: they were mentally strong.

Hold space for others

Compassionate detachment allows me to hold space for my clients as they explore their own values without imposing an agenda or attachment to specific outcomes. This open-minded wonder fosters curiosity, encouraging clients to gain an outside perspective and examine their experiences from multiple angles. By asking questions like “What’s showing up for you?” and testing hypotheses based on how I experience the client—something they cannot do for themselves—I help them uncover new insights. Ultimately, it takes courage to hold this space, creating a safe environment for deep self-exploration and growth.

,

Let's speak about conditioning

,

c/o University of the Pacific

Women in many Western societies are conditioned to:
- Be grateful
- Know their place
- Be patient
- Take what's offered
- Seek validation

These messages shape careers, leadership journeys, and confidence levels. They influence how women negotiate, advocate for themselves, and take up space in the world. I think conditioning can be unlearned. Boldness can be built and systems can be challenged. This month, beyond celebrating achievements, let’s also reflect on what still needs to change. Let’s empower, uplift, and dismantle the barriers, both internal and external.

Send me an e-mail and let me know which one piece of conditioning you have had to unlearn.

Stay right there

Confidence and focus are like muscles, and they both need constant maintenance. Even the most self-assured person can start a downward spiral when faced with an unexpected setback at work or in life. Likewise, being highly goal-oriented doesn’t make you immune to distractions and unforeseen challenges can leave you feeling scattered and overwhelmed. I think to stay grounded, you must continuously exercise these mental muscles through self-regulation, ensuring that setbacks don’t derail your progress.

Trust and safety

c/o LinkedIn

Trust and safety are essential in a coaching relationship because our brains are constantly scanning for perceived threats or rewards. The amygdala plays a crucial role in this process, as it interprets sensory data from our environment to anticipate potential outcomes. When a situation feels unsafe or uncertain, the amygdala triggers a stress response, which can hinder our ability to think clearly. In contrast, the prefrontal cortex—responsible for executive functions such as deep thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and memory—operates most effectively in a psychologically safe environment. This is why creating trust and safety in coaching is vital; it allows the prefrontal cortex to function optimally, enabling meaningful reflection and growth.