Richard Jones

I help introverts in the accountancy and other professions to achieve more success, fulfilment and visibility in their work. I do this by giving them the skills and confidence to make an impact in their current field or help them to transition to a new area of work more suited to their preferences and talents.

 
Right now I feel blessed to have this calling and to be able to lead by example through blogging, public speaking, running workshops and performing music gigs in front of hundreds of people. But I didn’t always have the confidence to stand in the spotlight.
 
In fact, when I was about five or six years old, I was painfully shy. I can still remember a short period in primary school when I could only communicate with my teacher by whispering into her ear.
 
As I grew up, I gained in confidence but by the time I reached secondary school, I was still a relatively quiet and sensitive soul. Unfortunately, this led to me being the victim of bullying from some of the other kids in my year. I can still remember the teasing, taunting and physical abuse I experienced and how it made me want to run away and hide in the shadows.
 
As I continued to develop into a young adult, these painful memories receded into my subconscious and I forgot about them, but their impact on my ability to sell myself and stand up for my needs remained.
 
I started to play gigs as the keyboard player in pop and rock bands which I continue to do to this day. Like many introverted performers, I took on a different persona when treading the boards but, when I was off stage, things were rather different.
 
So, when I landed my first job in the accountancy profession I found that, whilst I was doing brilliant work, completing projects in record time and to the highest quality, I never seemed to get the recognition I deserved for my efforts. And that meant that I was constantly being overlooked for promotions whilst others who had once been my contemporaries and juniors were racing ahead of me. And as a result, I entered into a viscous circle. Each time I got passed over for promotion, I lost confidence in myself and this made me appear less capable which, in turn, impacted on my ability to get promoted at the next opportunity.
 
In 2001, I realised that I needed to take action to break the cycle. So, I took the scary but essential step of changing career direction and, whilst remaining in the accounting profession, I refocused my work onto the area of training and development.
 
This move had a big impact in two key ways.
 
Firstly, it allowed me to capitalise on my passion for making a difference to the development of others. And as the enthusiasm for my work shone through, I began to get noticed much more easily.
 
Secondly, immersing myself in presenting and public speaking gave me the skills and confidence I needed as an introvert to compete in an extrovert’s world. I had to push myself out of my comfort zone, but I had the passion and enthusiasm for my work that allowed me to see it through.
 
As a result of all this, my career progression soared as I began to get known and recognised for the unique and powerful contribution I was making to the organisations I went on to work for.
 
I now focus my energy and passion on helping other quiet souls to gain the visibility they need to lead fulfilling and successful careers. As a certified professional co-active coach, I combine top-notch coaching skills with 20+ years’ experience in both the professional services and the performing arts worlds. I know what it is like to have to fight to get your quiet words heard in a sea of loud voices and I can give you the tips and the tools you need to do just that.

Presentation skills coaching
Management skills coaching

If you are interested in working with me one-to-one, I offer a free initial one hour consultation in person, by telephone or over Zoom which will help you to get crystal clear about where you are now and where you want to be in the future. I’ll also share some powerful secrets, strategies and information that will support you on your journey. This is also an opportunity for us to test the chemistry between us to determine whether we would like to continue working together.

My coaching programmes can be tailored to your individual circumstances and so prices vary.