Coaching: Richard Carr is the Managing Director of Star Kids, an education and parenting business that publishes consumer friendly learning materials for kids, and help and advice for parents. This is a start-up business underwritten by the publishing giant Egmont. Richard came for coaching to Q. Learning in 1997 as a Director of Letts Educational where he managed a start-up division publishing schools text-books (growing it to £5M sales in three years) and then as Managing Director of the whole business that made headlines when it was sold to Granada in 1999 reputedly for six times its value of 5 years previously. As Managing Director at 33, he was nevertheless almost the oldest employee!

Richard is a gifted entrepreneur who has learned to think his intuitions through and to make them acceptable to those whom he needs to influence. He uses coaching as a way of testing out his ideas, to gain some feedback and for friendship in uncertain times. His two co-directors (also ex-Letts), Andy Riddle and Ben Barton have also used coaching to elicit new options for themselves.

Meanwhile, in the public sector, Andrea Hill, Director of North Hertfordshire District Council, has experienced coaching with Lesley since 1994, both in her current role and as Assistant Chief Executive at Cambridge City Council. Andrea is someone who designs in high performance, makes things happen by stepping into voids and believes in both personal growth and in providing development opportunities for others. At North Hertfordshire District Council, there has been fairly constant upheaval since 1998, but Andrea has been able to create an environment of team, learning and high performance.

Andrea is quite definite that, 'Coaching is not just for when you have a problem; rather it is equally uplifting in creating another range of possibilities when you are being very successful.

'Having a coach is something that is liberating. As you become more senior, you have to filter information offered by colleagues and staff with the question, 'Why are they telling you this?' Your coach has no hidden agenda - it will be challenging but liberating - you will be given a new set of possibilities that are given to you for no other reason other than to be helpful.'
back to top..