Finding my confidence and
helping others find theirs.
Spring, 1996. I’m in a cramped public sector office waiting for a call that would change my life.
It’s the day after the interview for my dream job. The one I’d been waiting for, through years of working as a middle manager in the Probation Service. I was stuck, bored and hankering for change. Although I’d moved between other similar roles, any new challenges were short-lived. I needed something more.
The new post also had equality and diversity at its heart – my passion, and something I’d been helping to build into the working culture. But I was scared, wondering if I was up to the challenge.
“It’s too late”
The phone rings. It’s one of the interview panel – my former line manager.
“Sorry ... you didn’t get the job. You weren’t convincing. I expected so much more from you. And now it’s too late.”
I lay awake that night, and many more, mulling over how I’d blown my chance. I vowed to stop going for promotion. Yet, in my heart, I knew I was capable of so much more.
A second chance
A few years later, I moved sideways into a new social work organisation, that promised opportunities for someone to make their mark. I threw myself into my new role, while doing what I could to overcome my lack of confidence.
Then one day, a regional director said:
“We’re setting up a new department and I’d like you to apply for one of the new management posts.”
I hesitated, voicing my familiar concern:
“It’s come too late for me. I’m OK where I am.”
“Claudia, I want you in my team. It’s definitely not too late. Just look at the job description and you’ll see that it’s right for you.”
So I did. And I got the job.
Finally backing myself
Determined to succeed this time, I learnt everything I could about what it takes for a woman to get promoted. And it worked – two years on, I was managing the department.
I realised it was only me holding me back. And that mistakes years ago needn’t last for life.
I had silenced self-doubt, faced my fears and knocked them down, one by one. I had stopped moving sideways and started moving upwards.
Helping more women succeed
While I’d overcome self-doubt myself, as a manager, I saw many other women still struggling with it. So, when I left social work in 2010, I set up Winning Pathways Coaching. Driven by my passion for equality and diversity, I wanted to help as many women as possible achieve the success they deserve.
Nearly 15 years on, I’ve helped several hundred women perform at their full potential and find success on their terms. Along the way, I’ve added further coaching credentials, authored books and been named Mentor of the Year (City, University of London, 2017).
Supporting women to perform at their peak
While I’d overcome self-doubt myself, as a manager, I saw many other women still struggling with it. So, when I left social work in 2010, I set up Winning Pathways Coaching. Driven by my passion for equality and diversity, I wanted to help as many women as possible achieve the success they deserve.
Nearly 15 years on, I’ve helped several hundred women perform at their full potential and find success on their terms. Along the way, I’ve added further coaching credentials, authored books and been named Mentor of the Year (City, University of London, 2017).
2.Speaking of facing fears, I’ve dabbled in doing stand-up comedy. It’s quite different from coaching, sure, but we can all do with a bit of a laugh sometimes.
P.S.
3 fun facts about me:
1. Since I can do online coaching from anywhere, I recently swapped city life in London for the country. I love long walks in the fresh air, even if I sometimes miss the hustle and bustle.
3.I’m a football fan and support Arsenal – but I don’t insist that my clients do! 😊