The Coach's Journey - build a coaching business with integrity

Ever since she was a child, working in her father’s clothes shop in Derbyshire and standing on a box to see over the counter, Jenny Bird has spent her life being interested in people.She drew upon the principles of communication honed during those formative years as she blossomed into one of the United Kingdom’s very first master coaches, going on to co-author renowned coaching titles such as The Art of Coaching: A Handbook of Tips and Tools, and How to Work with People... and Enjoy It!In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Jenny describes the experience of leaving community education and training to be a coach at the turn of the century, when stacks of materials were posted across the Atlantic and she joined conference calls with coach trainers located all over the world.Throughout her training and her early forays into coaching at global corporations and in the NHS, Jenny surveyed the landscape of personal and development for those who do things differently, describing her “joy for sparkly new things”.By consistently forging relationships with innovators and brilliant thinkers throughout the field, Jenny has enriched her career. She shares invaluable wisdom accumulated across her career through her books and in her role as co-founder of Coach Continuum, which provides CPD, networking and supervision to help coaches flourish.Jenny and host Joey Owen also talk about:The benefits of being a risk takerHow to barter your way to getting what you wantPartnering generously and being paid what you are worthHow to tend to your LinkedIn gardenBringing poetry and creativity into coaching to cut through to the emotionJenny also shares some invaluable advice to new coaches, outlining the mindset, behaviours and conditions that form the essential foundations of a successful business. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:- Ruchi Shah-Mehta https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchi-coach/- Coach Continuum https://coachcontinuum.com/- CoachU https://www.coachu.com/home/- Thomas Leonard, The Portable Coach https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=L0IVLyDUQ14C&printsec=copyright&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false- EMCC https://www.emccglobal.org/accreditation/- ICF https://coachingfederation.org/- The Clean Sweep Questionnaire https://www.lifecoach.com/free-quizzes/clean-sweep-quiz/- Common factors theory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_factors_theory- AoEC https://www.aoec.com/- Sarah Gornall https://peopleuntapped.com/ourglobalteam/sarah-gornall/- The Art of Coaching https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9OuPCgAAQBAJ&printsec=copyright&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false  - Coaching Development https://www.coachingdevelopment.com/- Business Network International https://www.bni.com/- Quotes from golfer Gary Player https://www.yourgolftravel.com/19th-hole/gary-player-quotes-from-the-black-knight/- Animas https://www.animascoaching.com/- Erik de Haan http://www.erikdehaan.com/

Shruti Sonthalia says purpose is her superpower. A strong sense of purpose helped Shruti to demolish seemingly insurmountable barriers to becoming a Master Certified Coach and a globally renowned industry figure, and in this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, she implores all coaches to find their ‘why’.Shruti began her journey without coaches around her to learn from, living and working in a culture that assumed expertise was the preserve of men with white hair. Believing it was her purpose to create sacred spaces in the workplace, Shruti grafted with steadfast resolve to defy the gatekeepers and doubters who stood in her way.By taking the path less travelled and proving herself time and again, Shruti developed a work ethic that took her to the top of her profession, empowering leaders across global markets to embody a coaching mindset.She pays forward her expertise in the training curricula she devises and delivers to the next generation of coaches, founding her structured, evidence-based approach on the values and principles she speaks about in this episode.In this conversation, Shruti invites us all to ask: which parts of our journeys do we struggle to own? And how might addressing them enable changes within us that ripple out to the ecosystems we operate within?Shruti and host Neil Mackinnon also talk about:- Whether coaching has the same effectiveness in different areas, geographies, and realities- Accessibility of supervision as a vital aspect of coaching’s growth and integrity- The learning we can take from our own procrastination- How a coaching mindset can help us embody shared power- The principle that says that which you focus on expands, and how to harness itTHINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:- AoEC - Academy of Executive Coaching https://www.aoec.com/ - ICF - International Coaching Federation https://coachingfederation.org/ - ICF Foundation https://foundationoficf.org/ - Shruti's paper on effectiveness of coaching in emerging markets https://radar.brookes.ac.uk/radar/file/08d2850c-51fe-42ab-aeea-e7ec829bc5a9/1/IJEBCM%2022_1_10.pdf - London School of Economics https://www.lse.ac.uk/ - Yannick Jacob on The Coach's Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/97-yannick-jacob-going-beyond-blueprints-to-challenge-the-status-quo-of-coaching - Richard Layard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Layard,_Baron_Layard - Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning - Martin Seligman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Seligman - David Foster Wallace, This Is Water https://fs.blog/david-foster-wallace-this-is-water/ - Theory U by Otto Sharma https://www.amazon.co.uk/Theory-Learning-Emerges-Futures-Business/dp/1576757633 - Robbie Swale’s writing on resistance https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2025/3/28/the-more-resistance-we-feel-towards-a-call-or-action-the-more-important-that-call-or-action-is-to-our-souls-evolution - The War of Art by Steven Pressfield https://www.amazon.co.uk/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026 - IFS, parts work, what’s in the way is the way https://matthewharwood.uk/ifs/ - RUHCO https://ruhco.org/

A commitment to “directional correctness” has helped Patrick Quinton-Smith solve existential questions on the way to becoming the co-founder of a multigenerational coaching consultancy, Gen Z Coach.In his fast-paced career, Patrick has overcome huge challenges by remaining true to his philosophy of maintaining a steady direction – even when sidewinds threaten to blow him off course.When rapid success in the energy sector failed to bring Patrick fulfilment he took a bold step towards coaching, giving up one day per week to build his business. Just three years on, he works full time at the head of a consultancy that coaches young people while helping businesses to lead multigenerational teams more effectively.Patrick speaks about the importance of the power of a clear and deep purpose and mission. He also explains the role of breathwork and emotional awareness in becoming a skilled navigator along his particular journey, which has taught him valuable lessons about the roots of his self-worth and the nature of what drives him forward.This episode offers a refreshingly frank account of just how hard it can be to overcome fear, doubt, adversity and the deeply personal challenges that we all face as we seek to grow and live in accordance with our values.Patrick and host Alex Whitton also talk about:- The number of times you might have to receive a “no” before achieving your goals- The benefits of having a niche, and how to let your niche find you- How to weather the storm of lean spells and hold onto the bigger picture while building a business- What we can learn from the challenges that scare us- The relationship between adventure and growthTHINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:- General Assembly – Seven Career Coaching https://sevencareercoaching.co.uk/career-and-life-coaching-blog/seven-x-general-assembly-future-proof-your-career-in-2019-beyond - Bulb Energy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulb_Energy - Derek Appau - http://linkedin.com/in/dereka/?originalSubdomain=uk - Mindset by Carol Dweck https://fs.blog/carol-dweck-mindset/ - Coaching for Business course, City University https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/prospective-students/courses/short-courses/coaching-for-business - International Coaching Federation https://coachingfederation.org/ - Gillian McMichael, Full Circle Global https://fullcircleglobal.com/ - Joel Burgess https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjoelburgess/?originalSubdomain=uk - 16 'no's video/post https://www.linkedin.com/posts/maya-raichoora_getting-nos-and-rejections-used-to-crush-activity-7351498362937901057-teIC/ - Diary of a CEO, “roll the dice” https://www.tiktok.com/@steven/video/7504384000891391254 - The Coaching business flywheel - https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel 

Discover the art of leading impactful first conversations with coaching clients! Learn to prepare clients, set clear expectations, and model authenticity. Gain strategies for building trust and credibility from the start. Explore how to guide conversations without pressure, ensuring clarity for next steps. This insightful session is perfect for those seeking more meaningful interactions in their coaching journey.

What does it really look like to take your coaching practice on the road?In this short episode, Robbie and Alex Swallow get together to explore the possibilities and challenges of coaching as a digital nomad — or simply working remotely and flexibly as a coach.They talk about their experience working from Costa Rica, Dar es Salaam, cafés in the UK, and the practical and emotional realities of taking coaching work on the move. This conversation is filled with candid reflections, personal stories, and valuable tips for coaches curious about location-independent work.Together, Robbie and Alex discuss:What it’s really like to coach while travellingThe difference between remote work and being on holidayThe impact of environment on coaching conversationsEnergy management, internet mishaps, and time zone headachesWhy solo digital nomad life might not be as dreamy as it soundsThe power of experiments — like working from a different UK city — to test what worksHow being in new places can boost creativity and reflectionIf you're a coach who’s ever dreamed of working remotely, coaching from anywhere, or building a location-independent coaching business, this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and a few gentle warnings…Download Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, here. For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/For more information about Alex, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexswallow/Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com.Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQgTo support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community.

Selling coaching by the session can limit impact. A shift to time-bound packages enhances client engagement and fosters deeper commitment. Explore how this approach builds trust, accountability, and real transformation. Robbie shares insights on having candid money conversations, setting ambitious goals, and avoiding a session-counting mindset. Learn to view coaching as a partnership on a journey rather than just a service transaction. Plus, discover resources for creating a sustainable coaching business.

Every village and every community throughout human history has relied upon people who can facilitate conversations, allowing sacred truths to be passed along generations. In a modern world gripped by a process of massive transformation, this vital, ancient work now falls to coaches.That is the view of Bob Singha, a master coach who has spent 28 years helping people connect the day-to-day reality of their lives with the eternal teachings of their ancestral heritage. In conversation with Alex Swallow, Bob reflects on his evolution as a coach and as an elder, which he sees as a process of remembering rather than one of learning.Across decades of work with young people around the world, facing lives blighted by trauma and violence, Bob has found that communities everywhere face similar problems, and that the solutions to them lie in the deep wisdom of our ancestral memories.Using stories as medicine and as conveyors of wisdom, Bob helps people to remember something about themselves.In this conversation, Bob and Alex acknowledge the call being sounded for coaches who don’t feel at home in the standard business models that commodify and separate us. They also illustrate the remarkable role coaches can play in connecting communities with the intelligence that gave birth to them.In this episode, Bob and Alex also talk about:- How studying something as if you’re going to teach it leads to accelerated learning- Our connection with the sages, the rishis, the sadhus and fakirs who throughout history have integrated spiritual wisdom and worldly responsibilities- The power of the question: what are the whispers of your ancestors saying in this moment?- The relationship between the way we play games and the way we live our lives- A hilarious story that revealed to Bob at a young age the importance of language, and how we can use it to speak to both the temporary and the eternal.THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:- Timothy Gallwey https://theinnergame.com/ - John Whitmore https://www.performanceconsultants.com/about-us/sir-john-whitmore/ - Tony Robbins https://www.tonyrobbins.com/- Stephen Covey on interdependence https://challengingcoaching.co.uk/stephen-covey-interdependence-the-deeper-facts/ - Spark Inside https://www.sparkinside.org/ - The Coaching Inn https://thecoachinginn.podbean.com/ - It Takes A Village https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llpz6bADkZU - Gladeana McMahon http://gladeanamcmahon.com/ - Anthony Eldridge Rogers https://uk.linkedin.com/in/anthonyeldridgerogers

How do we keep working when tragedy shakes our lives? If seismic events disrupt our foundations, is it possible to build something new with confidence?For Ellie Scarf, suffering a heartbreaking loss led to profound changes that have moved her from her zone of excellence into her zone of genius, where she draws upon her experiences to offer her coaching clients an approach and a service that is uniquely her own.In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Ellie recounts the steps that took her from working as a lawyer in top tier legal firms to becoming a national sales coach for a billion dollar company. She describes how her coaching work was in the midst of a booming resurgence after the COVID-19 pandemic when tragedy struck.In conversation with host Ruth Saville, Ellie explains how she integrated her profound emotional experiences into a new way of working, turning her pain into a point of connection that deepened her client relationships.Now, alongside the client work that brings her joy every day, she also runs the Corporate To Coach Accelerator, building foundations for people on the runway to launching a business, and supporting coaches who are pivoting to leverage their skills in new ways. She is also CEO of Lucent Global coaching consultancy, which supports leaders and companies through significant periods of transition.She also has her own podcast, The Business of Executive Coaching Podcast, where she is just as inspiring a host as she is a guest in this episode.In this episode, Ellie and Ruth also talk about:·      A brilliant strategy to solve the problem of building business development into your schedule·      How to meet your clients where they’re at on their particular developmental journey·      What happens when non-directive coaching comes into conflict with a knowledge gap·      How many coaching programmes selling quick pathways to success prey on people’s fearsEllie also shares one crucial tip for anyone coach who is struggling to bring in business at the moment, offering a tried and tested way to make progress during lean times.Things and people we mentioned (that you might be interested in):- Tony Grant https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/news-and-events/news/2020/02/07/vale-professor-anthony-grant.html- Dr. Suzy Green https://instituteofcoaching.org/suzy-green- Masters course in Coaching Psychology at the University of Sydney https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science-pg/coursework/psychology-coaching.html#:~:text=The%20Master%20of%20Science%20in,working%20with%20non%2Dclinical%20populations.- The Positivity Institute https://thepositivityinstitute.com.au/- The Positivity Prescription https://thepositivityinstitute.com.au/product/the-positivity-prescription/- Dr. Susanne Cook-Greuter https://instituteofcoaching.org/author/cook-greuter-susanne- Robert Kegan’s theory of adult development https://aliveandthriving.substack.com/p/kegans-theory-of-development-framework- Bill Torbert’s development theory https://developingleadership.net/bill-torbert- The GROW model https://www.performanceconsultants.com/resources/the-grow-model- The House of Change model https://www.thevirtualtrainingteam.com/articles/change-management-models-the-change-house/- Dr. Louise Kovacs https://au.linkedin.com/in/louise-kovacs-9ba55a- Myers Briggs overview https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/myers-briggs-overview/- Dr. Saba Hasanie https://www.linkedin.com/in/saba-hasanie-dprof-mcc-icf-1747572?originalSubdomain=sg- The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-big-leap-gay-hendricks?variant=32205677625378- Lucent Global https://www.lucentorg.com/about- Corporate to Coach Accelerator https://www.elliescarf.com/cca- The Coaching Business Flywheel https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel- Ellie’s podcast episode on metrics for coaches https://www.elliescarf.com/podcasts/the-business-of-executive-coaching/episodes/2148566834- Tim Ferriss’ billboard question https://medium.com/@podclips/the-top-25-answers-to-tim-ferriss-famous-billboard-question-3f19fba1a49c- The upper limit problem https://melodywilding.com/are-you-unconsciously-afraid-of-being-happy-why-we-self-sabotage-with-the-upper-limit-problem/

The question that new coaches ask most often: do I need a niche and how do I choose one?We don’t know why that idea is so pervasive among new coaches, but it is, so when Robbie got a question about it from a subscriber recently, he thought he’d make a short episode about it.Excuse the audio - he recorded on his phone - and see below for links to a few things he mentions in the episode.For more information about Robbie Swale, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com.Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQgTo support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community.HERE ARE LINKS TO SOME OF THE THINGS WE MENTIONED: Katie Harvey (a coach with no niche) on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-1-katie-harvey-14000-hours-of-coaching-being-part-of-the-uk-coaching-vanguard-and-being-a-generalist-coach The Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/thecoachingbusinessflywheel The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel-booster-pack

Celebrate a transformative coaching journey! Discover how the host transitioned to full-time coaching in under two years, sharing valuable lessons on the power of content and client referrals. Learn key strategies for attracting clients and creating space for business growth. Get inspired by personal stories of successes and setbacks, and understand why persistence in coaching is essential. Dive into insights that resonate with aspiring coaches at any stage!