James has over 25 years of successfully turning around and building businesses. He believes this has only been achieved through coaching and developing people within the teams. Coaching has been an ever-present foundation of the work culture he builds as a manager. James sees coaching managers to their own success pathway as a thrilling aspect of his work that he never tires of, and he sees watching confidence grow and lightbulb moments illuminate this pathway is an absolute joy.
Coaching Style & Specialisations
James uses evidence based coaching, focusing on practical skill application. His authentic and democratic style of leadership and coaching ensures clients feel comfortable discussing challenges and enjoy the practical over theoretical style.
James likes to focus on middle managers as it is often the practical application of leadership and people management that prove most challenging for them. With his own extensive managerial and leadership experience he has experienced at first hand those challenges, but didn’t benefit from the coaching support he is now so passionate about providing.
A Moment That Reflects James as a Coach
A venue owner contacted him to support them with an assistant manager that they were struggling with. It was last chance saloon for the assistant manager as far as they were concerned. James had previously talked to them about his experience and coaching passion. They asked him to see if he could make a difference with mentoring/coaching sessions with her. The sessions started by understanding her and her management, challenges and concerns she currently faced. They discussed different leadership styles, and James helped her identify herself in them. Managers need all styles in their repertoire depending on the situation. The owners trusted him, as a former Operations Manager to have access to the pub financial information, so these sessions became mini business reviews as well as coaching sessions.
Before James got involved, the owners had been considering ending the manager’s employment. After 12 months of regular 1:1 sessions with James, she had taken on board learnings and had built a strong loyal team around her. This was something she had previously struggled to do due to her lack of confidence and trust in others, and refusing to delegate tasks. She developed that trust, delegated, and her team started to stick around.
At this time, a sister pub’s management imploded, and because of how she had developed, she was given the opportunity to oversee both pubs. 12 months before, she was in last chance saloon, but now trusted enough by the owners to oversee both pubs. The company saved thousands of pounds in not having to recruit and train new staff constantly, prevented the sister pub collapsing at Christmas which saved tens of thousands in revenue and reputation. A very satisfied, grateful client and a manager that has grown in confidence and stature in their role.
James feels that coaching can provide a confidential space for a gradual awakening of inner strengths and ideas, as well as a space where you hear what you need to hear, not what friends and family think you want to hear. It is part of his business life that really provides him with as many learning and eureka moments as his client’s experience. James sees coaching as such a satisfying and rewarding past-time – they say if you love what you do, it is not a job!
James is a member of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and has completed his ILM Level 5 Certificate in Organisational Coaching and Mentoring. James is also a member of the Association of British Mentors (ABM) and an Associate Member of the CIPD.
