About me
Leadership and Performance Coaching for Senior Leaders
You are successful on paper. You have the title, the salary, the team. But behind closed doors you are exhausted, overwhelmed, and quietly wondering how long you can keep going at this pace.
Your days are consumed by other people's priorities.
You are the first in and the last out.
Everyone comes to you to fix problems and make decisions, and the strategic work you are actually there to do keeps getting pushed to evenings and weekends.
Taking a week off without checking in feels impossible. You are starting to question whether you actually know how to lead at this level, or whether you have just been very good at getting things done.
These are habits, behaviours and identity problems. And it is exactly what I work on.
I'm Zoë Thompson, Leadership and Performance Coach, Accredited Master Coach with the Association for Coaching, and NLP Master Practitioner. I spent 20 years in the Police Service, 17 in leadership roles, progressing to senior manager at 30 in a Major Crime Investigation team.
I have coached senior leaders across corporate, public sector, charity and professional services organisations for over 8 years. I know what leading under pressure actually feels like, and I bring that credibility into every coaching relationship.
I work with senior leaders and ambitious professionals who are ready to transform from reactive to intentional leadership. Not through surface-level productivity tips or time management hacks, but through the identity and mindset work that creates lasting change at its core, combined with practical frameworks and strategies they can implement immediately.
The result is leaders who:
*Finish work on time without needing to log back on
*Stop being the go-to problem solver and start developing problem solvers
*Make faster, more confident decisions without the overwhelm
*Build a confident, self-sufficient team that performs without depending on them
*Lead with clarity and purpose rather than constantly firefighting
*Take The Big Week Off with zero work, zero stress, zero guilt
*Create success that feels as good as it looks
I work with individual leaders through three routes depending on where you are and what you need.
One to one coaching for those who want a fully personalised approach, the Elevate Your Efficiency Blueprint, an 8-week group coaching programme for leaders ready to make a significant shift in how they lead, and 'The Leadership Community', a monthly coaching and peer support space for leaders committed to continued growth.
Not sure where to start?
Download the free AAA Time Audit to identify exactly where your time and energy are going, then book a free discovery call to explore what working together could look like.
Download the AAA Time Audit: https://doc.zoethompson.uk/widget/form/bI9p19jBFGRWwXRb8uCTBook a Book a Discovery Call: https://doc.zoethompson.uk/widget/booking/kcOEohieUgtTPhfkXsiJ
Training, qualifications & experience
I'm an Accredited Master Coach with the Association for Coaching, Accredited Executive Coach, and NLP Master Practitioner with 9 years of experience coaching senior leaders and organisations across corporate, public sector, charity and professional services.
My professional background sets me apart. I spent 20 years in the Police Service, 17 in leadership roles, progressing to senior manager at 30 in a Major Crime Investigation team, leading high-performing teams through complex, high-stakes challenges.
I have lived the transformation I teach, and that real-world credibility shapes everything I do as a coach.
I created the PIIPS Framework for Aligned Success to support leaders in developing a clear plan, stepping into the identity required to lead at the next level, and taking consistent, purposeful action with clarity and confidence. My approach combines practical tools and strategies with the mindset and identity work that creates lasting change, not just short-term fixes.
"You evidence a highly conscientious approach to all aspects of your coaching, including keen attention to continually improving yourself professionally, and provide a structured and ethical experience for your clients. Your professionalism, commendable ability for honest self-appraisal, and caring deeply about giving the best service you can to all your clients are clearly demonstrated."
~ Accreditation Assessment Panel, Association for Coaching
Member organisations
The Association for Coaching is one of the leading professional bodies for Coaches and Organisations.
The Association is made up of a number of different membership categories, e.g. Associate Member (AMAC), Member (MAC), Accredited Member (AC Accred), with the different categories standing for different levels of training and experience. Accredited Members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
The Association has a Code of Ethics & Good Practice and a Complaints Procedure.
Areas of coaching I deal with
My specialisms
All areas
Other areas of coaching I deal with
*Reclaiming time and energy: identifying where it is going and restructuring for high-value priorities
*Moving from reactive firefighting to strategic, intentional leadership
*Delegation and developing problem-solvers rather than being the go-to for every decision
*Confident decision-making and reducing decision fatigue
*Boundary setting that protects time, energy and strategic focus without guilt
*Identity and habit shifts that embed lasting change at leadership level
*Building self-sufficient, high-performing teams that operate without constant oversight
*Taking The Big Week Off: planning, boundaries and leading without being always available
*Values-led goal setting, prioritisation and performance planning
*Mindset, confidence and resilience for leaders in high-pressure environments
Photos & videos
Fees
Free initial telephone or online session
Additional information
I offer a range of coaching and development options designed for senior leaders and ambitious professionals who are ready to invest in how they lead.
Leadership Time Gameplan Call | £99
A focused 60-minute coaching call to identify exactly where your time and energy are going and what needs to shift. This is the ideal starting point if you want clarity on your next step before committing to a longer programme.
Elevate Your Efficiency Blueprint | 8-week group programme | £697
An intensive 8-week leadership development programme combining weekly group coaching, mini masterclasses, daily WhatsApp support and monthly alumni calls. Designed for leaders ready to make a significant, lasting shift in how they lead. Investment and next cohort dates are available on my website.
Leadership Community | £49 per month
A monthly coaching and peer support space for leaders committed to continued growth. Includes group coaching, community access and ongoing accountability.
1:1 Coaching
Fully personalised executive and leadership coaching online or in-person. Bespoke packages tailored to your goals, context and the level of support you need. Pricing available on request.
Organisations and Corporate
I work with organisations across the UK and Europe to deliver bespoke leadership development programmes, workshops, facilitated sessions and speaker services. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Free Resources
Not ready to invest yet? Start here:
AAA Time Audit: identify exactly where your time is going and what to do about it
The Leadership Lightbulb Podcast: leadership insights, honest conversations and practical tools for leaders who want to lead differently
When I work
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Further information
I work online and in-person, based in Bristol and delivering across the UK and EMEA region.
My Approach
I combine 20 years of senior leadership experience with formal coaching expertise as an Accredited Master Coach, Accredited Executive Coach and NLP Master Practitioner. I have navigated the same challenges my clients face, leading under extreme pressure, working evenings and weekends, and finding my way out of reactive patterns that were no longer sustainable.
I competed internationally in strongwoman, raised my son as a single parent and built a successful business over the past 8 years. I draw on performance psychology from elite sport and high-pressure leadership environments to help clients build resilience, consistency and intentional habits that create sustainable high performance. I have lived the transformation from reactive to intentional leadership. This is not theory.
Working Together
My coaching is direct, practical and focused on identity-level transformation, not quick fixes or surface tactics. We work on who you need to become as a leader, not just what you need to do. The result is change that sticks long after our work together ends.
I run an inclusive, values-led practice and am committed to creating a safe, respectful and identity-affirming space for every client. I welcome any suggestions that will help make the coaching experience work for you.
Sessions are conducted online via video call or in-person in Bristol, depending on your preference and location.
