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Leadership coaching
Confidence, clarity and headspace – for leaders navigating what’s next.
Who is leadership coaching for?
You’re in a senior leadership role — perhaps newly promoted, or stepping into a broader remit. You know the job calls for strategic thinking, but you keep getting dragged back into the day-to-day. You might feel like everyone else has it together while you’re quietly winging it.
This is a common experience for leaders in the charity and public sectors, especially those transitioning from operational to strategic roles. Leadership coaching gives you space to reflect, recalibrate and lead with more clarity.
I specialise in leadership coaching for senior leaders — typically Senior Managers, Heads of Service, up to Executive Director level — who want to feel more confident, more strategic, and more authentic in how they lead.
Common coaching themes
My clients come to coaching with a wide range of challenges and opportunities. Some have clear goals from the start, while others are exploring and need clarity. Here are some recent examples of what we’ve worked on:
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Creating impact as a newly appointed senior leader
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Redefining identity and navigating peer relationships after promotion
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Leading change-fatigued teams through long-term transitions
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Managing imposter phenomenon [imposter syndrome], and building leadership confidence
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Shifting from reactive to strategic thinking
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Managing upwards and sideways
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Thinking through complex or sensitive leadership decisions
How I work
Leadership coaching offers something many senior leaders rarely get: protected time and space to think — away from organisational noise, team dynamics, and constant demands.
Working with someone outside your organisation means you can reflect freely, without worrying about how your words might land. I’ll help you step back from the tactical pressures of your role to focus on the bigger picture: where you’re going, what’s getting in the way, and how to move forward.
Together, we’ll explore what’s beneath the surface — including any unhelpful patterns or self-limiting beliefs that might be holding you back. I won’t tell you what to do. Instead, I’ll ask questions to help you uncover new insights, challenge assumptions, and grow into the kind of leader you want to be.
We’ll usually meet for 90-minute sessions online (or in person if you're nearby South Manchester, UK), booked in flexible blocks. One-off sessions are possible if navigating a short-term, urgent challenge.
About me
I’ve worked in and alongside leadership teams for over 15 years, with senior experience in HR, organisational development and leadership development. I hold ILM Level 7 and EMCC Senior Practitioner accreditation, and bring a calm, grounded presence to the work.
I didn’t grow up surrounded by leaders or boardrooms — and I know that stepping into senior roles can sometimes feel like entering another world. That’s why I care so much about helping people lead in a way that feels authentic, not performative.
Clients describe me as warm, thoughtful and pragmatic. I offer both challenge and support — helping you think clearly, lead with confidence, and make meaningful progress in your leadership journey.
Accessibility and additional needs
If you have any requirements that may support your coaching (such as assistive tech, interpreters, or longer sessions), let me know and we’ll work together to ensure coaching is as effective and comfortable as possible.
I’ve worked with people who are neurodivergent (e.g. ADHD) or experiencing mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. Coaching can sometimes complement other forms of support, but should not replace therapeutic or medical care. We can talk this through in strict confidence.
I have additional needs - how can coaching work for me?
If you have any requirements which may aid your enjoyment and success with coaching (such as assistive technologies, interpreters, extra-long sessions etc), please let me know and we can work together make sure you get the most out of your coaching experience.
I've coached people with a range of mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety, depression) and people who are neurodiverse (e.g. ADHD). I am not a counsellor, and coaching should never be used as a substitute for therapeutic or medical support. However, coaching can sometimes be a useful complement. We can discuss this in strict confidence.
What it costs
Most senior leaders find that a block of 6 x 90-minute sessions provides the right balance of support, stretch and reflection over time. This typically allows us to work through immediate challenges while building lasting confidence and strategic clarity.
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A typical package: 6 x 90 minute sessions over 6–9 months. Sessions cost £200 each, usually book en bloc in advance.
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If this is outside of budget, a small number of pay what you can places are available in exchange for a charity donation — please contact me for availability
If you have a specific need — for example, a short-term burst of support, or a longer-term coaching relationship — we can agree the format and pace together.
Optional add-on - Lumina Spark
If you’d like deeper insight into how you lead, communicate and respond to pressure, you can choose to complete a Lumina Spark profile.
This personalised profile highlights your strengths, blind spots and working style — and how those may shift under pressure. You’ll receive a full written report and a 60-minute debrief session to explore how to apply the insights.
Cost: £250 (profile + debrief)
What my clients say
"I found the sessions with Sarah extremely useful, her style was friendly and warm but also challenging to help address some of the issues that I and others were facing as leaders. This approach has had an enormous impact on me professionally, altering some elements of my managerial style to get the most from my team, whilst also helping me to develop strategically.
Jacqui - Comms Leader
How to get started
We’ll begin with a free, no obligation chat so we can both decide whether we’d work well together. I’ll ask what you’re hoping to get from coaching (don’t worry if it feels woolly!), and I'll share how I work. If it feels like a good fit, we'll agree a date for our first session. Click here to find a slot in my calendar. It helps me to prepare if you're able to share a little context in advance.