Coaching & Mentoring

xué can illuminate your journey

The challenge

There are as many definitions of coaching as people who write them and much confusion about how it is different to counselling and mentoring. Coaching is viewed by some as 'a luxury' or the most recent 'fad'. However, there is considerable evidence to demonstrate that as well as impacting positively on the development of an individual or a team it can have a significant impact on organisational change and on the bottom line . . . 'it is a process and a solution that suits our times' (CIPD).

The solution

xué's definition of coaching is . . .

"a journey of discovery with a trusted guide"

We believe this guide's role is to help the client to identify and successfully undertake the journey, not to prescribe it or to decide how they should travel. The coach does not need to have experienced the context within which a person is operating to be effective. Their skill is in reflecting back what they are hearing or observing and in identifying the tools or techniques needed to support the client's own reflection and learning.

A mentor has a very different role and is usually employed to support a person who is either new to a job or who is finding aspects of it difficult. The mentor, therefore, needs to understand the context and to have experienced it. Their task is to share their own knowledge, understanding and skill set to help the individual perform better in the role.

The Legacy of Learning

A xué coach focuses on the whole person. All our coaches are highly skilled although they have come to this role through a variety of routes and have different training and experience. This enables us to have access to a wide range of tools, techniques and approaches which can be appropriately matched to each client as different needs emerge.

"Every time I've had a session with my xué coach I have felt transformed and completely re-energised afterwards. The process is challenging and made me really think; it is emotionally intelligent and flexible in approach; it gave me strength to unblock the things that hinder me. I have come away feeling that nothing is impossible if I just focus on the right things and take control of situations I find
                                                                                       challenging"

Director of Transformation and Commissioning, Public Sector

" I feel very safe knowing that everything discussed in my 1:1 coaching session is confidential. The xué coach's flexibility in terms of listening, helping me to explore, the pace and environment was brilliant. The support before, during and after has been and is gently challenging in a kind, empowering and supportive way"

Individual Private Client