The Deprogramming Company
STRENGTHS-BASED COACHING FOR PEOPLE FIGURING OUT
WHAT COMES NEXT
Something brought you here
Something isn't quite right
Things might look fine from the outside, but something doesn't feel quite right anymore.
Your work. Your energy. The way you're spending your time. Or simply a feeling that something has changed.
Something is changing
A promotion. A new role.
Redundancy. A merger. Retirement. The end of a career or chapter. A different stage of life.
Sometimes you've chosen the change. Sometimes it has happened to you.
Something more is possible
An opportunity has appeared. You have an idea. You can sense there might be more for you.
Maybe you know exactly what that is. Maybe you don't.
So, what do we actually do?
UNDERSTAND
What's happening, what's important and where you are now.
RECOGNISE
Your strengths, drivers and the value you already bring.
EXPLORE
Different possibilities, pathways and what they might look like.
ACT
Turn what you've discovered into a decision and take the next step.
Coaching isn't a formula. We move at your pace and adapt to what you need.
WHY STRENGTHS?
Most of us can tell people what we do. It's harder to explain what we naturally bring, what drives us, what gives us energy and what makes us effective.
Gallup's CliftonStrengths assessment gives us a useful lens for understanding how we naturally think, feel, behave and get things done - how we contribute, communicate and connect with others, and how our strengths can sometimes be overplayed or work against us.
CliftonStrengths gives us the language.
Coaching makes it meaningful.
Gallup Research shows that people who know
and use their strengths are...
6 times
more likely to be
engaged at work
6 times
more likely to say they get to do what they do best every day
3 times
more likely to report an excellent quality of life
Why work with James?
I've always been curious about people - what shapes us, what motivates us and why we sometimes find ourselves at a crossroads.
I've lived and worked across five countries and three continents, in small businesses, start-ups and multinational organisations, across sectors including real estate, construction, manufacturing and learning & development. Along the way, I've picked up a couple of languages, adapted to very different cultures and ways of working, and experienced more than my fair share of career and life transitions.
People have told me I should be about 90 years old given the number of
different experiences I've accumulated.
STRATEGIC - I see the different pathways through the forest.
FUTURISTIC - I can help you imagine what different futures might look like.
POSITIVITY - I bring realistic optimism when things feel foggy or difficult.
I'll listen, ask questions, make connections, challenge you when it's useful and give you space when that's what you need.
We'll work out what kind of coach you need me to be.
WHAT CAN CHANGE?
Not everyone finishes coaching with a new job or a dramatic life change.
You might make a big decision.
You might choose to stay where you are, but change how you work, lead or live.
You might finally have the language to describe what you're good at.
You might see yourself differently.
Ultimately, you'll reach a point where you know what you're choosing
and what you're going to do next.
REAL PEOPLE. REAL CHANGES.
Something more is possible -
Gill was at a decision point
After a period as Interim Director, Gill was considering whether to put herself forward for the permanent Director role or take the opportunity to apply for a significant step up to Executive Director.
Strengths coaching gave her the space to explore what she naturally brings, how she gets things done and what helps her perform at her best. Together, we explored how she could use those strengths deliberately in the role - including how they could help her make an impact in her first 100 days.
As the process progressed, she became clearer about what she had to offer and how she wanted to show up in the recruitment process.
“I know, without doubt, that the sessions with James enabled me to present my most authentic self at interview. If they wanted me then they would appoint me. And they did!”
Gill O'Neill - Executive Director of Public Health, Northumberland County Council
Following organisational change and the merger of his council with another, Jason's role as Chief Executive of Carlisle City Council was coming to an end. After several months of uncertainty, he was faced with the question of what came next.
Strengths coaching helped Jason focus on what he naturally brings, recognise where those strengths could help - and sometimes get in the way - and turn that understanding into something practical for the recruitment process.
Together, we developed a strategy for answering interview questions that was rooted in real evidence and a deeper understanding of his strengths.
Jason got the job. And the impact didn't stop at the interview.
“I got the job, and I'm better at it in no small part because of James' support!”
Jason Gooding - Director of Neighbourhood Services, Wirral Council
Something is changing -
Jason was navigating a significant career transition
Something isn't right -
Sometimes the shift starts with seeing yourself differently
With Rob, coaching explored how his unique strengths were showing up in the way he worked, connected with others and navigated life - including where those strengths helped and where they could get in the way.
What began in the coaching sessions didn't stay there. It became something Rob could take into his work, relationships and home life.
“When I finish a session with James I always think and feel differently. And for me this difference has led to positively shaping how I work, connect with others and even parent.”
Rob Baker - Founder & Chief Positive Deviant,
Tailored Thinking
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