Leadership coaching
Time to think clearly, and lead well
Confidential, one-to-one time with someone who understands organisational life - to think things through, and come back to work clearer.
ILM Level 7 accredited executive coach. Online, or in person when it helps.
What kind of support would help?
- Executive coachingFor senior leaders working through something complex.What you get: six to ten sessions over a few months, focused on how you lead, with a clear end point.
- Manager coachingFor managers who want to lead their people well.What you get: four to six practical sessions, built on real situations from your week.
- Strategic thinking partnerSomeone alongside you for the decisions that matter.What you get: ongoing support for the role itself, as often as you need it, with no finish line.
Some people start with coaching and move to an ongoing partnership later.
How I coach
Coaching is a series of guided conversations that help you get from where you are to where you want to be.
Enabling, not telling
You're closest to the problem, so with the right support you're best placed to find the answer. I won't tell you what to do.
Focused on action
We'll explore the background, but every session ends with a way forward, even if it's a small step.
About the whole person
Work and the rest of life shape each other, so we look at all of what makes you you.
Built on your own resourcefulness
Most people can find their own way, given the space to think. My job is to ask good questions, and listen well to the answers.
What people bring: Whatever is on your mind at work
Coaching starts with what's real for you right now. People often come with things like:
- Stepping into a bigger role
- Leading a team through change
- A tricky relationship at work
- A big decision with no obvious answer
- Finding your own way of leading
How coaching works
A first conversation
We start by talking about what's going on, what you'd like help with, and whether working together makes sense.
Agreeing the focus
Together we agree what we're working on and what good progress would look like. It can change as we go.
Regular sessions
One-to-one and online, arranged around your work, and built on real situations from your week.
Between sessions
Much of the development happens between sessions - in what you notice, and what you try differently.
What people said
Working with him feels like a true partnership. He is always interested, engaged, flexible and aspirational for his clients.
Some of the organisations I've worked with
Free tools to try
More than 60 models and frameworks in our free tools library, most with a template you can use straight away.
Questions people ask
Is coaching right for me?
It works best when you want space to think things through, can commit the time, and are happy to focus on what you can do next.
How many sessions are there?
Executive coaching is usually six to ten sessions over three to six months, and manager coaching four to six over two to four months. A thinking partnership has no set end: we talk as often as the role needs. Each session lasts between 50 and 90 minutes.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Every session is one-to-one and confidential.
Is it online or in person?
Mostly online, by video, so it fits easily around a busy week. We can meet in person too, if that would help.
Can my organisation pay for it?
Often, yes. Many people's coaching is paid for by their employer, usually from a learning or development budget. I'm happy to help you make the case.
How do we get started?
With a conversation about what's going on and what you'd like coaching to help with, so we can both see whether working together makes sense.
James Freeman-Gray
ILM Level 7 accredited executive coach
Who you'll work with
You'll find me in the room rather than at the side of it - facilitating, designing with your people, and bringing the kind of energy that makes serious work feel lighter.
I lead every piece of work myself, from the first conversation to the handover, with senior associates alongside when the work needs more hands.