The transformative power of coaching: Apprenticeship journey with Leanne

Meet Leanne Simmonds, Languages Consultant undertaking the Coaching Professional Level 5 apprenticeship programme with Harris Federation. 

I am currently part of the inaugural cohort for the Coaching Apprenticeship course, incorporating an Executive Coaching accreditation and I’m loving it. 

One of core tenets of coaching, which I am appreciating more and more, as I grow my skillset, knowledge and understanding, is the ability to be genuinely interested in others – holding a space for them, listening actively, i.e. facilitating the art of good (transformative) conversation, building rapport, based on trust.  

What I am learning and practising is directly relevant and strongly impactful on the way that I undertake my role as a Consultant, on a daily basis.

Much like the positive ripple effects that coaching can have in multiple, and perhaps unanticipated, spheres of your life, I’ve noticed the same thing happening to me, the more I learn and discover. My coachees (clients), course lead, and others have also given encouraging feedback to this end, which is validating and endlessly surprising, as we are all so new to this! It’s encouraging to know that we can still be of support to others, even as we are at the beginning stages of honing our craft.

What I am learning and practising is directly relevant and strongly impactful on the way that I undertake my role as a Consultant, on a daily basis.

I have long been interested in the benefits of coaching, mentoring and the benefits of other therapeutic modalities on getting ourselves, and others, a little closer to what we’re striving to be, do and have.

I believe that, particularly in studies of this nature, it really matters who is taking you on your learning journey. Our course lead, Sarah, embodies, exemplifies and expounds the principles of effective coaching. Her way of navigating us through the mixed-mode approach of the course is second-to-none.  

There are lots of moving parts to what we are doing, including independent reading and study; online, face-to-face day and twilight sessions; supervision both internal and with a top-rated external coaching organisation and, of course, putting what we are learning into action and supporting our client coachees with whatever they may confidentially bring to the table.

Learning about coaching is directly impacting me, too, and complements going through the experience of being coached myself. This training is 100% aligned with my roles, responsibilities and the way in which I have always operated within and approached them. The Coaching Apprenticeship validates this and gives me a framework with which to grow, develop and hone any skills that I have gained intuitively and experientially. My coachees, and people around them, have reported noticing a positive impact resulting from the internal shifts that they have been making through 'doing the work'.