I have been looking through my notes today about what we have covered and where our coaching sessions have taken me over the last 10 months or so, from “peeling one potato at a time”  and doing the brain dump on a page, to the “strategic helicopter” to the “corporate cuddle” we discussed today!  It is amazing how far you realise you have come when you look back and take notice and I thank you for your time and patience in the many discussions we have had over a couple of tricky issues I have had, that you have helped me have the confidence and the words to be able to deal with.  I have realised how many assumptions I make and how that affects how I feel and you have helped me to boost my confidence and realise that I can do this and actually I am!!

Thanks again and I look forward to our paths crossing again in the future at some point.

Cathy has been an excellent coach for me in the time we have been working together. First and foremost she is a great active listener and having taken time to listen she has given me some incredibly useful advice and tools to use in both my professional and personal life to find a happier balance and progress my career. I didn’t think it would be possible to change aspects of my behaviour but with Cathy’s guidance I am finding myself better able to deal with challenging situations and staff

As a result of our time together I am able to see the value that I bring to my organisation. This has led to me being able to step up into a new role with positivity and has given me the confidence and skills to communicate with the executive team. I’ve also noticed improved performance, better feedback from peers and increased job satisfaction.

Thank you Cathy!

When I first took on the coaching with Cathy I thought I was getting a mentor.   I had recently become a Line Manager and I thought Cathy would teach me how to do this new role successfully.  When Cathy advised this was coaching and not mentoring I was sceptical and honestly thought it would not give me what I needed and would be a waste of time.  How wrong was I?  

Cathy has shown me techniques which assist me when I am nervous.  She has worked to build confidence in myself. She plants the seed in my mind and lets me develop solutions to problems taking me toward a new way of thinking.  She challenges me on a monthly basis to step out of my comfort zone and tackle those things that terrify me – and I find myself not only doing this but also looking forward to the challenge.  In the short time I have been having coaching I now find myself doing things and tackling problems I would once have shied away from.  

My first experience of this was actually in front of my Board of Directors, where I found myself wanting to talk and putting my hand up to answer questions.  This was so not me.  That evening I was so elated that I had to fight the urge to call Cathy at midnight and tell her ‘those techniques you taught me – they really work’.  

Coaching has to date given me so much more; I look at things through different eyes now.  When I attend one of my meetings with Cathy I come out of it feeling like I can take on the world, she has the ability to make you believe in yourself. I can say with 100% conviction that I am definitely more positive and more confident than I ever was for having had the opportunity to undertake this coaching with Cathy.

Working in local government at present is stressful.  Despite the improving economy it is a time of restructuring and downsizing to help deal with the national debt.  This means managers and staff have to respond flexibly to massive changes that can cause anxiety and fear about the future.  Coaching sessions with Cathy Stewart has equipped me to face these inevitable challenges.  The benefit has been strengthened resilience from improved self-esteem and a sense of direction along with learning some coping tools.  

Cathy is a natural coach, with a warm and approachable style combined with the experience and gravitas to instil confidence.  My sessions have helped me to be a better manager and employee and if more sessions are needed in future she will be the coach at the top of my list.

Cathy has been an enormous help to me over the past few months. As a self-employed management consultant the COVID-19 lockdown had a significant impact on me and forced me to reflect on my career options and future direction. Cathy has helped me to evaluate myself and reflect on my strengths and weaknesses. With her support I have been able to take a rational look at all the options available and map out a path that will help me to achieve my life goals over the next 10 years. Cathy is so easy to talk to and has offered me some excellent practical advice. Her coaching style has been both supportive and encouraging at a time when my confidence was low and I was questioning my own abilities. She has enabled me to pull myself together and get back in the race with new energy and vigour.