Will Lakeman

As you read this, and others like it, there’s a good chance you’re about to make a choice.

From the landscape we see, to the feelings we feel, to the patterns we run – our lives drip with choice. Many are masterful. Some mediocre. A few, if you’re anything like me, absolute howlers.

In making ‘this’ choice I suspect two questions will be particularly important to you.

What’s he really like? Instinctively, is he the sort of person I could have supportive yet honest conversations with? Conversations that deliver change.

And, does he know what he’s doing?

I’m an experienced, optimistic and perceptive coach. As comfortable asking the big question as recognising the need for space, creativity and fresh perspectives. I dare say during our time together we’d occasionally chuckle. If only to wave a stick at life’s absurdities. We’d also work hard to call it as it is. To make the progress you’re looking for – professionally and personally.

My passion around the growth of others has shaped my professional life. Be it in my senior corporate learning and development roles or over the last 18 years as Principal of my L&D consultancy Kirkstone (www.kirkstonelearning.co.uk). In 23 countries, 27 industry sectors and 81organisations.

I’m ICF PCC credentialed and hold a Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching from Henley Business School and Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). I’m a license holder in Social Styles, OPQ and MBTI Step 1 and 2 and have British Psychological Society Level A and B certification. I’m also accredited in Hogan’s HPI, HDS and MVPI leadership and team tools.

Since 2002 I’ve been blessed to coach a fascinating range of clients.

From senior directors of world-leading brands to newly promoted managers of SMEs. From functional specialists, with no direct reports but eye-watering global responsibilities, to strategic heads of not-for-profits. All inspiring human beings. All looking for different and unique progress.

Many have been paused yet ambitious, stretched but superb, rated but evolving, unsure yet talented, brilliant but unproven or successful but unfulfilled. They’ve always known so much more than they thought they knew.

At home I have two fabulous, and occasionally exasperating, early 20s kids. And a super wife with an incredible antennae for sniffing out and pushing back against any ‘coaching approach’ I might take in our lives together. My quest with that continues. We live close to the beach in Poole, Dorset.