Change is always challenging, especially when it's something you created and dedicated fifteen years to but it was the right time and change had to happen. Thankfully that’s when Sarah from Nine Yards Coaching came in. She played a key role in helping me through a major shift in my life - closing Illuminate Charity and planning the next stage.
In those final six months of closing the business Sarah was excellent, I knew the value of coaching of course, yet being caught up in the day-to-day management and leading the closure I really couldn’t see the wood for the tress. That’s what happens when you’re struggling, overwhelmed and yet think all is OK and under control – I was fooling myself.
Sarah’s energy and curiosity were contagious; it made the sessions really work for me. Coaching is powerful when you get a good match of coach and client. It’s not about the coach following a rigid model; it’s about supporting the client and helping them reach their goals in their way. Sarah did exactly that, and here’s her post about her experience –
When we coach, we coach people, not positions or titles.
That’s one of the most valuable lessons learned during my coaching journey. When I was in coach training last year, I needed to complete a certain number of coaching hours to become certified. A fellow trainee asked if anyone had space she had someone looking for coaching, but there was a conflict of interest.
I raised my hand, and that’s how I met Maria.
Maria wasn’t just any client; she was the founder of a charity, ran her own coaching business had over 15 years of experience as a qualified coach.
Arrgghh. A qualified coach?
Talk about pressure!
It felt like I would be cooking dinner for a chef - just hoping I don’t burn the meal. My imposter syndrome was in full force. Like walking into your first day at work and realising the CEO is sitting in.
Arrgghh.
Maria never made me feel judged or less-than. Not once. She was warm, gracious, and fully present. The sessions were filled with honesty and openness, not a trace of hierarchy or power dynamics. And that’s when I learned one of the most important things about coaching: It’s the person who shows up, not the role, not the title.
In the coaching room, it’s not about being the CEO, the coach, or the founder - it’s about showing up as a person, with all the humanity that comes with that. Maria, thank you for teaching me that with such kindness and humility, and for helping me see the real value in coaching the person, not the position.
Sarah Clark
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