Client stories 

Every coaching conversation is different, but the outcomes often have something in common.

These stories show what that has looked like for some of the people I’ve worked with.

Stepping into something bigger

BARBARA ROLLO 

Delivery Director

Finding confidence to step into the role she was ready for 

Barbara knew she had more to offer, but imposter syndrome had become louder than her own judgement. Leadership visibility, public speaking and taking on a bigger role all felt outside her comfort zone.

"I knew I had more to give in my career, but I didn't have the confidence to pursue it." 

As her confidence grew, Barbara started saying yes to opportunities she had previously ruled out. She applied for a Delivery Director role that required greater visibility, public speaking and international travel. 

She got the role and is now thriving in it. 

The impact

  • Promoted to Delivery Director 

  • Confident speaking to senior audiences 

  • Trusts her judgement 

  • Feels fulfilled in her career 

This coaching has changed my life. Getting promoted and finally feeling like I'd achieved what I wanted in my career has had a major impact on my confidence and my general happiness in life.

GEMMA MCANALLY

Chief Product Officer

Strengthening her leadership at executive level

When Gemma stepped into a newly created Chief Product Officer role, there was no blueprint to follow. She was establishing herself at executive level while navigating self-doubt.

"I no longer feel the need to prove myself in the same way." 

Over twelve months of coaching, Gemma strengthened her leadership voice, learned to influence more effectively and developed a healthier relationship with pressure and setbacks.

The biggest shift was recognising the value she had been bringing all along. 

The impact

  • Established credibility as Chief Product Officer 

  • Increased influence across senior stakeholders

  • Delegates with confidence

  • Trusts herself as an executive leader

Today, I feel more secure in my role, more trusted by others and more trusting of myself. I no longer feel the need to prove myself in the same way. I've built credibility through my actions, relationships and results.

Leading with confidence 

SAM MCLOUGHLIN

Group HR Director

Rediscovering the leader she'd always been

Like many senior leaders, Sam reached a point where the pace, pressure and responsibility of her role had gradually chipped away at her confidence. Outwardly, she was still performing. Internally, she was questioning her judgement and feeling the pressure to have every answer.

Through coaching, Sam stepped back, looked at situations differently and became more intentional in how she led. She started trusting her judgement again and felt more comfortable leading in a way that felt like her.

“Elaine didn’t change who I am as a leader; she helped me rediscover the leader I’d always been.”

The biggest shift was realising she didn’t need to become a different leader. She needed to trust the experience and instincts she already had.

The impact

  • Trusts her judgement

  • Leads with more intention

  • Feels less pressure to have every answer

  • Enjoys leadership again

  • Feels more confident

“I’m leaving this coaching journey not as a different leader, but as a stronger, more authentic version of myself.”

Building a business 

TERRI FIELD

Founder & Director

Building a business around the life she wanted

Terri had reached a major crossroads. She had left her corporate role while heavily pregnant and was navigating a career change alongside becoming a new mum. She wanted more flexibility, but also needed to work out what she wanted her next chapter to look like.

"There was loads of anxiety, loads of stress.

I just didn't feel myself." 

Through coaching, Terri clarified what mattered most and found the confidence to act on something she had talked about for years.

She started her own business. 

Six months later, she was earning more than ever, had flexibility and was receiving more client enquiries than she could comfortably manage.

The Impact

  • Launched her own business 

  • Created flexibility around family life  

  • Backed her own judgement

  • Built a business with strong demand

I'd say I'm proud of myself. That's a big thing for me to say because it doesn't come easily. I'm earning more than ever, I've got more flexibility, and I finally backed myself.

NEYLA PEARSON

Founder

Becoming the founder she wanted to be

Neyla found herself caught between the talent operator she’d always been and the founder she wanted to become. She questioned her decisions, compared herself with other founders and struggled to fully commit to the business she wanted to build.

"It's very difficult when you sit on the fence because you're not truly committed to either." 

Through coaching, she clarified what she wanted from the business, learned to trust herself and stepped more fully into her role as a founder.

She got that sense of agency back.

That shift changed how she made decisions, spoke to clients and led her team.

The Impact

  • Committed fully to her business 

  • Fully stepped into her founder role

  • Makes decisions with confidence

  • Regained her sense of agency

Life doesn't happen to you, you make it happen. I’m finally working in line with my values and building real momentum toward the legacy I want to leave.

Making a career change 

NAOMI OOSMAN-WATTS

Higher Education Transformation Leader 

Finding the clarity to choose what came next 

Naomi knew something needed to change. She wanted to leave her role, but she also wanted her next move to reflect who she was, what mattered to her and the kind of leader she wanted to be.

“I moved from feeling uncertain and reactive to feeling much more intentional about

my career choices.”

Through coaching, she clarified her strengths, values and the environments where she does her best work. She gained a clearer sense of what she wanted from her next move and greater confidence in her own judgement.

Naomi stepped away from a role that wasn’t the right fit and secured a new leadership role that feels like a much better match and is taking her in the direction she wants to go.

The Impact

  • Left a role that wasn't the right fit

  • Clear about what she wants

  • Regained confidence in her judgment

  • Secured a new leadership role

As I settle into this new opportunity, I have felt very confident in myself and self-assured thanks to the work Elaine and I have done together and the practical techniques I now have to navigate this new situation.

Different journeys. Similar shifts. 

Although every coaching journey is different, many clients describe similar changes in how they think, lead and show up at work. 

In reality, I am my own sponsor. I am my own main backer. I want to create that by being true to myself going forward, rather than guessing and adjusting myself on what people might be expecting me to do.

Aynur Taskan

Strategy & Transformation Leader 

Before we started, I was way beyond burned out and my confidence was low. As a result of our work, I'm now much kinder to myself while expecting a lot more from myself at the same time. My passion and creativity are back and I'm more than ready to tackle a new role.

Nina Bosco 

Analytics & Data Products Leader

She helped me build a clearer understanding of my own style, drivers and motivations, and turn that into how I lead. I've learned to dial up my inner leader in decision-making, lead with more conviction, and lean into my strengths in tough situations.

Yi Wang

HR & People Leader

Through her thoughtful and insightful approach, she helped me rebuild confidence, trust myself and my judgement, and become much more intentional about the environments and organisations where I can thrive.

Ruth McVeigh 

Senior HR Leader

Throughout our time together, one of my key goals was to apply for and achieve an internal promotion. I'm thrilled that with Elaine's guidance and coaching, I built my confidence, embraced my unique qualities and was successful in my promotion.

Grace Rogers 

Microsoft Alliances Director

Working with Elaine was transformational. The sessions helped me find a balance between work and life, unpick my saboteur, and approach challenges with excitement rather than fear. I'm now handling stress differently, making better decisions, and feeling far more grounded.

Sam Davies 
CEO & Co-Founder

Ready to talk about what comes next?

Every story on this page started with a conversation. 

Whether you’re considering coaching for yourself or exploring support for your leaders or teams,

I’d love to hear more about what you’re trying to achieve.

For organisations 

Helping successful people rethink

their relationship with work.