Alison Yard

I am an Associate Certified Coach of the International Coaching Federation

I am also an Accredited Strengths Profile Practitioner. Strength Profile assessments to allow clients to understand their strengths more deeply and how to use them to maximum advantage. 

I specialise in helping busy ambitious women to flourish and reach their full potential at work in a fulfilling role, whilst enjoying a full and happy life outside of work. 

I have genuine empathy and an affinity with unpaid carers; their challenges and the impact this may have on their own home and work life. 

Previously I spent 25 years working in the business world, reaching senior positions. I benefited greatly from having an Executive Coach. It enabled me to step into a new leadership role, quickly gain the respect of the team - we were a engaged and successful team. So I'm a firm believer in the power and benefits of coaching!

I offer 1-2-1 coaching programmes focused on career acceleration and change, boosting confidence and resilience and on professional and leadership development. In addition, I offer a one off 'bootcamp' coaching session.

Career Acceleration and Change

Perhaps you are stuck on career autopilot and lacking motivation? Maybe you are keen to take the next step on your career ladder? Do you want more recognition at work?

If you are seeking a career change or ready to advance your existing career, coaching  will get you on track to reaching your full potential whilst being happy and fulfilled in your work. With my support and encouragement, you will

~ Get the clarity to set and implement SMART career goals.

~ Have a deeper understanding of your strengths and how to best use them 

~ Gain the confidence and self belief  to secure and succeed in a rewarding job

~ Productively manage your roles at work and home, enjoying a full life rather than feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

I offer a complementary Strengths Profile assessment and debrief to any client who thinks this will be of benefit to them. 

Management and Leadership Development

Today's business environment is fast paced and ever changing. Todays managers and leaders must be agile and responsive.  Powerful leaders today require skills which enable them to share the vision, influence and empower others to follow and collectively deliver that vision. My coaching programme will enable new and future leaders to gain confidence and progress as inspiring, respected and authentic leaders and role models. You will

~ Hone  your leadership style, understanding how to adapt to different situations

~ Increase your productivity and the engagement and performance of the team

~ Inspire and empower others to join you in achieving successful outcomes

~ Devise and keep focused on delivering long term strategies, whilst ensuring the conclusion of short term objectives.  

~ Build and maintain sound business relationships and networks

~ Establish boundaries in order to effectively manage work/life balance

Confidence and Resilience Boost

Is your chatty inner critic preventing you from establishing your purpose and being your best self? My bespoke coaching coaching sessions will equip you to 

~ Challenge and tame your inner critic

~ Gain the confidence and resilience to step outside your comfort zone

~ Overcome fear of failure/impostor syndrome

~ Practice self care

~ Design a toolkit to protect and guide you during future moments of self doubt 

'Bootcamp' Coaching Session 

Is there an issue that you need to move on from? Perhaps self doubt is clouding your judgement and ability to progress a task? Maybe you feel daunted by an upcoming event? 

My coaching 'work out' will 

~ Give you the space to objectively examine your current situation 

~  Decide what needs to happen to allow you to overcome real or perceived obstacles and move forward

~Enjoy the journey! 

                                        My Coaching Style

This has been described by clients as 

• Non judgemental and genuinely supportive
• Empathetic
• Gentle yet persistent so to achieve objectives
• Organised and systematic

As a result my clients say that being coached by me has allowed them to -

• Identify and play to strengths and work smarter, not harder
• Build resilience and the confidence to speak up
• Focus on progressing a strategy in order to deliver business goals
• Reduce anxiety and feel more energised and confident to progress projects.
• Self identify problems and solutions and so foster long term independence.

I am holistic in my approach to coaching. After all, 'work life' and 'home life' impact on each other. I believe that a positive relationship exists between personal development and professional development. 

In providing a confident safe space and quickly building trust, my clients have the opportunity to consider their current circumstances, explore and decide what needs to change to make their future aspirations a reality. Goals are established and with support and encouragement, my clients take accountability for achieving these. My goal is to help others achieve, get to where they desire to be, feel fulfilled and proud of all their accomplishments. 

I offer a complementary, no obligation initial consultation (up to 1 hour) so that I can completely understand what you would like to achieve from having me as your coach. I'll also explain more about coaching, what to expect and how it works. During this consultation we can discuss and agree fees which vary according to whether coaching will be via video conferencing or face to face and also the number of sessions. 

I am willing to reduce my usual fee, dependant upon individual circumstances for unpaid carers. 

Testimonials

Alison and I worked together when I was transitioning into a new role. Alison's coaching helped me to refocus, identify  and play to my strengths, so working smarter not harder.  I love her coaching style which is gentle yet persistent to achieve set objectives. I would recommend working with Alison to anyone who is looking for a 'sounding board' in shaping for reshaping their career. 

Dr Zeypep Hizir - Asset Management and Banking.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I began coaching sessions with Alison after having being promoted into a new role during the challenge of lockdown. Working in partnership with her gave me the clarity and focus to progress a strategy to deliver business goals, to successfully manage an inherited team whilst working remotely and to build valuable new relationships. As a result, I felt empowered and confident to progress  whilst remaining true to myself and letting my own personality and style shine though. 

Shirley  - Senior Business Manager, global fund management house.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

'I have been coached by Alison since I began a new role. I wanted to give myself the best opportunity to establish myself quickly, build rapport and succeed in this role. I was also very keen to maintain a healthy work/life balance and continue to live a full, enjoyable life outside of work. Through being coached I have built resilience and developed the confidence to speak up. Having Alison as my coach has given me real clarity to see where I can make changes and so progress toward where I want to be – to be fully engaged in all aspects of my life.'

Natalie Sot -  Data Scientist Vodafone

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I appreciated the non-judgemental, honest and genuinely supportive approach of Alison as my coach. It made me think and opened up some avenues. It also reduced anxiety during the difficult and uncertain times of COVID. I am very grateful. With only 2 meetings, I felt more energy to continue with my projects as my confidence improved.

Dmitry - NHS Consultant. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I began working with Alison at a pivotal time, transitioning into a new role. Together we have worked through some highly effective strategies for building supportive alliances and creating early wins. I would highly recommend Alison to anyone looking to accelerate or change their career path. 

Jane Anderson - Chartered Surveyor. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

'Alison coached me during a stressful period in my life when I was physically and emotionally quite vulnerable. Through her amazing questions and incredible empathy I managed to get stronger and find my confidence again. Thank you Alison for all your help.'

Laura - returning to work mum.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Alison has been a tremendous help to me whilst I was looking into my future career options. Being coached allowed me to focus on my next steps and what I wanted to achieve. I would highly recommend Alison to anyone looking to decide on and progress career goals. 

Christopher Carter Keall - Real Estate professional 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

'I have found my coaching sessions with Alison to be extremely helpful in enabling me to focus on the areas I need to develop and explore. Alison has helped me to identify my priorities in terms of avoiding the patterns and behaviours I tend to resort to that are not necessarily positive or advantageous to my role. I started with Alison whilst taking a short career break and she has supported me through this and then through the start of a new role with insightful questioning and appropriate challenge that has helped me self-explore and grow.  Alison has facilitated me being able to develop a 'tool kit' of practical and psychological/emotional methods to enhance my work life balance and enable me to be more effective in role

Miriam -    Assistant Principal in a large Further Education College.

'Alison coached me during my own ICF coaching certification. Even though I felt I was "all coached out" and that I probably didn't need coaching at the time, I continued working with her. Turns out that during my sessions with her helped me uncover a number of things I was not aware of which really helped me moving forward in my own coaching journey. I highly recommend working with Alison.'

Cornelia - ICF Approved Coach.