Welcome to Gill Caleary Coaching!
Gill Caleary Coaching
Gill Caleary Coaching is open for business.
I’m creating the type of coaching space that’s a mash-up of the very best bits of coaching I’ve found invaluable in my life and career, a dollop of me my continuous learning and a heap of qualification, practice, and training. I’ve experienced the transformational benefits of coaching over the last ten years, with many styles of coaching and coaches, bits of which I’m unapologetically and proudly pinching and morphing into my own. Helping others to help themselves is, ‘My Thing’.
I offer you a safe non-judgemental space to bring your whole self, as you are, to think, talk, hear, and experience yourself. Coaching is often described as the most fascinating conversation about you, you’ll ever have, and I completely agree. I can provide a confidential sounding board, breathing space to explore what may be holding you back and why, opportunity to explore your true leadership style, freedom to really explore those important relationships and legroom to create changes that give you the results you want. My approach is eclectic; I borrow from many different schools of coaching psychology and their models and tools, using them with your permission and only if they’ll benefit you. Sometimes I just listen and gently facilitate your thoughts, process, and self-reflection. Always confidential and discrete, I understand the importance of this at a senior level.
There is no set way of working or programme of sessions you must step through. I don’t have a secret sauce; I adapt my approach to you and your evolving needs. This is quite challenging as every single client and session is totally unique. I often think it would be so much simpler to have a coaching programme. But, I’ve been through quite a few of these 5-step, 7-step, 12-step programmes in my time and whilst some of the facilitators have been great, the content pretty good and I’ve always found something to take away; it always left me feeling like one of many, like I’d just skimmed the surface and like chunks of it just wasn’t applicable or didn’t really get the essence of ‘me’ and ‘my stuff’.
The very best coaching I’ve ever had was one-to-one, getting into the nitty gritty of me, how I am and what I want to change and develop. This inspired me to professionalise, be the coach I am and create a type of coaching space that focussed on you. This one-to-one space is where the real changes, deep shifts and critical realisations are formed – actually, sometimes it’s a couple of sleeps after a session that a spark ignites and when you bring that to the next session, it builds a wee fire, which we work with, together. So, it’s just me and thee, it’s simply you, as you are, and me and all my training and experience.
I’m qualified, experienced, professional, and independent. I’m not selling coaching programmes, promises or solutions, I have no formulaic approaches, I’m not affiliated to anywhere that does. There’s no mailing list, no sign-up marketing, no upselling, no promises, no gimmicks. I write wee articles, share my thoughts and on-going research on my website and LinkedIn (my MA Dissertation Coaching Imposter Syndrome: The Coach’s Perspective continues to fascinate me and so my research goes on). I design bespoke workshops for workplaces, and I throw my tuppence-worth and support into other’s conversations. If you like it, like it, and if you don’t, don’t. If you like my coaching and you think it would benefit others, spread your word please, that would mean the world. Constructive feedback is always welcome.
When I work corporately, meaning when I coach senior people in an organisation, none of the above changes. It’s still me and thee. The only difference is who’s commissioning the coaching and if there is any relevant organisational context or structure, I need to be aware of to be in service to you.
Coaching and consulting are two different skill sets and two different hats, but they are complimentary. I’ve always coached my teams and often consulting clients too, always had a coaching style that over the years I’ve developed through training courses, reading, practicing, and having my many of my own coaches; the latter was invaluable. The professionalisation of so many years of coaching throughout my corporate and independent career reached a massive milestone - being awarded a Master of Arts with Distinction in Coaching, in July 2022. I. Have. Worked. My. Wee. Socks. Right. Off, to get here! 3 years of deep personal introspective exploration and the challenging world of psychology-based academia - in the middle of a pandemic! It was not a walk in the park; there were many wobbles, tears, snotters and tantrums. The effort paid off.
This added to the 25+ years’ experience at various levels of very large to very small businesses and starting my own business, supporting my partner to do the same and here I am again starting Gill Caleary Coaching from scratch. I’m still out there consulting, advising on boards and supporting teams to be their best and deliver commercial results as an external body; involved with them but not submerged in their mire. My approach and style allow me to helicopter above and add value. This brings a powerful relevance to my coaching practice; I’m not living today’s business world vicariously through my coaching clients – I understand the here and now, ups and downs and real-life challenges, with senior people in the front line all the time. I can relate to you and your lot but remain detached from your milieu.
Coaching is an investment in yourself; it’s a considered purchase. To date my best investments have been in myself and it’s even more important now, for me to be the best coach I can; constantly growing and learning about me and the way I am. I have several brilliant personal professional coaches who coach me, and I see them very regularly. I have deep gratitude for the reciprocal coaching with a small select group of excellent individuals in my peer tribe, who coach and support each other. My supervisor is excellent, a very experienced coach and coaching supervisor and I’m part of a peer supervision group of inspirational and bloody good coaches, who I admire. This and the associated self-reflection are the professional backbone of my practice.
I’m myself when I coach and by that, I mean I know myself well. I’ve spent time in therapy and various forms of coaching, ‘doing the work’ to really understand me, my bias, my thinking patterns and where they came from. TMI? Well, I’m personally not sure how I could begin to get to know you and facilitate you getting to know yourself if I’ve not experienced that bumpy path and all its jaggy corners…
Coaching is “My Thing”, professionalising with a masters is the cherry on my cake. It means so much to this, ‘Wee lassie fae Fawkirk’. I turned 47 the day I handed in my MA dissertation and my graduation ceremony was 25 years almost to the day since my undergrad award. I remember my P4 teacher, Mrs Collins telling us, we all had a unique talent and it’d become obvious”, I admit, I thought that had perhaps passed me by, I was too busy and maybe I missed the “My Thing” turn in the road. Doing the work which led me to professionalising as a coach has landed me on that elusive trifecta of talent meets purpose meets zest, and the zest is everything! It’s just so bloody zesty! Coaching has been my direction of travel for a long time, but it’s also my destination, where I feel at home, stretched, valuable, connected, capable and there’s a fire in my belly to apply, learn, develop, and contribute. Helping others to help themselves is ‘My Thing’.
Welcome to Gill Caleary Coaching.
If you like the cut of my jib and feel coaching with me could be for you – please get in touch. gill@gillcalearycoaching.co.uk or message or call +44 (0) 77027109003 to arrange tme for a chat.
Lots more info on my website: www.gillcalearycoaching.co.uk