Dan Simmons

Hone your leadership style so that you can lead in a way that is impactful, fulfilling, energising, and full of integrity.

Do you feel like you’re caught on the treadmill of being busy and rarely have time to step back and take a strategic look at yourself, the ways you work, and your career? When faced with challenges, do you often find that you’re throwing yourself into things working harder, instead of finding ways to think differently and work smarter?

Most of the leaders I work with – when I start asking them about it – realise that they aren’t fully clear on the purpose and function of their role as a leader. Whether you’re new to your job or have been doing it for years, many leaders often don’t approach their roles as strategically as they could – and probably should.

I support leaders like you to work more strategically, so that you can add greatest value without burning out, while empowering your team and creating a positive, healthy workplace culture in which you and those around you can thrive.

This could involve topics such as:
– defining and clarifying the purpose and function of your role as a leader;
– developing strategies for empowering your team, delegating more (and more effectively), and dealing with underperformance;
– creating a personal brand and developing a strategy to build your profile;
– strengthening your communication and influencing skills, including public speaking;
– managing your energy, work/life balance, and boosting your resilience;
– growing your toolkit for dealing with conflict and difficult situations.

Drawing on my experience as a coach, and over 20 years of experience across the creative industries, arts and culture, and health, I regularly offer tools and techniques that might be relevant to the situations you’re grappling with. These are always offered without attachment, not as advice or guidance, but as suggestions for you to consider should they feel helpful.

My approach incorporates co-active coaching, neuro-linguistic programming, positive psychology, mindfulness and somatic coaching. As well as supporting personal and professional growth, it builds mental and emotional agility and strengthens resilience.

As well as 1-2-1 coaching I also deliver group and team coaching, workshops and leadership development programmes. Please contact me if you'd like more information on these other services.

I’ve worked as a coach and facilitator for leaders around the world from corporates, the creative and cultural sector, and NGOs. I’ve coached people of different genders, ages, nationalities, races and sexualities, and believe passionately in inclusion. I offer a chemistry session to determine whether we are a good fit to work together.

Here’s how a recent client described their experience of working with me:
“Dan worked with me in what I can truly describe as transformational coaching sessions. His coaching style is warm, person centred yet persistent, and focused on action. In our sessions we have made space to do some of the deeper work that we can often avoid, but that leads us to make the changes – both behavioural and attitudinal – that make so much difference. I am amazed at how quickly the work we have done has translated into both personal and professional success, and highly recommend him to anyone serious about developing their career and life goals.”
Managing Director of an international film festival

Sessions are 50 minutes via zoom. I can sometimes deliver sessions in person, with additional costs to be agreed around travel and travelling time.

Alongside my coaching, I'm developing my creative writing. I'm currently working on a novel and some poetry. I often bring storytelling tools and techniques into my coaching.

Prior to coaching, I held a number of leadership positions. I spent 10 years working in the creative industries (mostly in film) in skills development. I led a team of almost 30 people overseeing budgets of over £10 million per year. Before that I worked in the health sector supporting NHS board members to influence Government health policy.

I was selected as a Fellow for the Clore Cultural Leadership Programme in 2014/15, and I now work with Clore Leadership as a coach and facilitator.

I was a marketer by profession for many years and completed my CIM postgraduate diploma in marketing.

I also completed London Film School's 'Fast Forward to Feature Producing' programme and produced two short films that were selected for international film festivals. A carer highlight was persuading Sir Ian McKellen to be in one of my films, and spending the afternoon at his home.

When I left my job to set up my own business, I joined the circus school and spent three years learning the flying trapeze, a great way to get out of my comfort zone!