Over the past year, I’ve worked with senior staff stepping into new or restructured roles, and with senior leaders who are new to working in the arts.
The beginning of any senior role is a time of high visibility and high expectation. When joining a different structure or team, there is a lot to understand: how things have worked, how they work now, and where they need to head next.
When a leader is also new to the arts and cultural sector, there is an additional layer: learning a different culture, language and set of ways of working, while translating valuable experience from elsewhere into a fresh context.
My approach blends coaching with mentoring where useful, creating space for leaders to start well, make sense of changed structures and teams, and navigate a sector that may be unfamiliar to them.
How I can support
Every client situation is unique, so I tailor my approach and focus to meet the needs of both the client and organisation. This can include:
Regular coaching across the first six to eight months, supporting leaders stepping up into more senior roles to deepen their leadership thinking and establish themselves well in a larger remit.
Coaching for leaders moving into a different senior role or sector, supporting them to translate their existing strengths and experience into a fresh context while retaining the perspective they bring.
Coaching and mentoring for staff members during leadership gaps, particularly where they are stepping up or may have less regular support above them.
Facilitated sessions with two or more team members, supporting leaders and managers, or teams and departments, to review and evolve how they work together when a new or changed role requires a shift in responsibilities, processes and communication.
A confidential sounding board and space to step back – helping leaders make sense of arts and charity-specific organisational culture and dynamics, while staying focused on the steps towards longer-term strategic delivery.
What clients have told me
‘What I valued most about coaching and mentoring with Helen was having a space to be vulnerable and completely honest. Stepping into a new leadership role I felt pressure to prove myself quickly, and being new to the arts sector also meant feeling like a beginner again. Helen’s approach gave me time to reflect, freedom to ask the questions I might otherwise have held back, and space to explore how to lead well.’
Senior professional in arts & culture
‘I came into coaching in the middle of a restructure – new CEO, new leadership team – and was unsure of my role in this new structure. Coaching has given me valuable insights and tools I actually use. Six months on, I am more settled, more confident, and in a place where I can build rather than react. I’d recommend Helen to any leader navigating restructure or upheaval.’
Senior communications leader in arts & culture
Why it matters
Organisations are increasingly recognising the value of investing in coaching for staff at points of personal and organisational change. It can help keep talented staff, and reduces risks around burnout, team performance issues, and staff knowledge or experience gaps. In short, coaching supports the conditions for leaders and teams to innovate and flourish.
I see firsthand how much clients value a trusted, confidential space to step back, ask the questions they cannot ask elsewhere, and think through what matters most. It helps leaders feel clearer, more confident and better able to quickly build the relationships and impact their role needs.
My approach is spacious, stretching and practical: a thinking partnership that offers useful challenge and an outside perspective. I respond to what each client needs, asking questions and sharing reflections that help them make sense of their situation and move forward with purpose.
My aim is always to support brilliant people to do brilliant things – bringing both experience and fresh thinking to their work.
If you are stepping into a senior role, leading through change, or supporting someone who is, I’d love to talk about what coaching support could make possible.