Navigating complex leadership dilemmas
"Working with Sian has been a transformative experience during a challenging transition phase in my career at a new institution. As I was tasked with leadership responsibilities in the context of my new institution’s own organisational change, Sian has been an invaluable companion, enabling me to navigate the complex leadership dilemmas that the change brought. Through Sian’s deeply empathetic, genuinely invested and non-judgmental coaching style, I was able to see, name and begin to address on a very practical level the specific layers of a complicated organisational and interpersonal setting, which was negatively affecting my work with others. I started the coaching programme with Sian with a desire to develop a leadership style that can deal with the wider issues effectively and with authority, but which remains at the same time authentic to who I am as a person and the kind of ethos I want to inspire in others. I feel that Sian has been completely attuned to this desire from the outset and throughout our sessions and I have no doubt that my personal growth has been possible because of it."
Prof Maggie Kubanyiova, Research Centre Director, University of Leeds
Professional development coaching
Sian is "Professional; supportive; calm; non-judgemental; non-directive (but able to offer insights from experience when appropriate); gently challenging; aware of the wider environment/system in which leaders work; very focused on the individual and their needs/goals – works with people where they are at rather than following a set process; asks powerful questions that create new awareness.
She helped me to create the space to talk things through to unpack things, make connections between the things that were on my mind and helped me connect to how much influencing I had actually done but not realised. Sian met me where I was at in the moment and worked with that; used my frustration in the moment with situations to build awareness and helped me to think about how I have access support to do the above going forward in a safe way."
Angela Sharp, Deputy Director of Strategic Partnership, Lincolnshire Community Health Services
Boosted confidence and progress
"I came to coaching accidentally, using the work of a number of coaches who post content online, to try to coach myself through a number of areas of my life where I had begun to feel dissatisfied. I had begun to see results when I met Sian, almost by accident.
I took the leap to work one-to-one with Sian, and it has been a great experience for me. Working with Sian has helped to "unblock" me, allowing me to move forward in a number of areas where I felt stuck and unable to make progress.
We have explored a number of situations and projects, with Sian listening and gently probing to help me to understand that my thoughts about a situation are not necessarily factual but my own personal interpretation.
She has helped me to look at things in a different light, and to identify my own solutions and approaches.
This has boosted my confidence, and has allowed me to progress a number of projects that had become stuck. I am noticing benefits not only in my professional life, but also in my personal life."
F Salisbury, Solicitor
Transitioning into a new role
“I work as a university senior lecturer, doing both research and teaching. Having had significant experience and project leadership experience as a researcher over a period of 20 years and been involved in teaching and undergraduate unit/ curriculum design for over 10 year, I approached Sian to coach me during the transition into a new and significant leadership role at the university where I work. My main goal was, over a period of 12 months, to understand my new role and remit, identify a clear vision, strategy and operational plan, and particularly to help me prioritise my new role against my many other existing roles and duties.
Sian and I met on about a monthly basis. We began by agreeing ground rules and exploring what I wanted to achieve. Having a very busy work schedule, my meetings with Sian allowed me to take important time to step out of my direct environment and job. By asking questions which challenged my own thinking and got me to articulate my thoughts and priorities, Sian provided a frame for me to gradually think through a vision, strategy and how to prioritise what to focus on, and how to use my time effectively doing so.
During our last meeting I set out what I had done in my new leadership over the preceding 12 months, and what my plans were going forward, and I realised how much I had achieved. My regular meetings with Sian during this time, her way of asking very constructive questions which challenged my thinking, and her support in setting actions, following them up (sometimes by email or telephone contact in between face to face meetings) were of great value. Thank you Sian!”
Senior Lecturer, The University of Manchester
Major Change
"Last year I was asked to lead on a major change project within my institution and having regular coaching sessions with Sian provided an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the issues and challenges I was facing.
Not only did this allow me to gain a deeper understanding of the issues, it also enabled me to analyse and rehearse a range of responses in a safe and supportive environment. I have no doubt that Sian’s coaching contributed to my success in a new and challenging role."
JA, Deputy Dean
More confident in my own strengths, and those of others
"I am so grateful to Sian for the coaching sessions and how carefully they supported my objectives. At the start of the sessions my levels of self-confidence were low and I felt overwhelmed in my new role.
Over the course of the coaching, I learnt to be more confident in my own strengths, and those of others, and to believe that I can be successful in the role and deserve the chances that I have been given.
Without Sian, I think I would still be overly worried about the opinions of others and unable to articulate where I have strengths and make a difference."
Dr Hannah Holmes, Head of Department, Accounting, Finance and Banking, Manchester Metropolitan University
Overcoming anxiety of new role
"I had a session with Sian Taylor when I was about to start new job. I had anxiety over the type of Manager/Leader that the new role would require as I had been with my current employer for a very long time.
Sian’s style of questioning to get to the crux of the problem was gentle and not intrusive, yet made me realise where the anxiety stems. Once that realisation was understood, she guided me through ways of improving and learning to believe in myself.
To further assist, Sian provided tools to nurture positivity. They are concepts, when practiced effectively, that can change the way of thinking and naturally evolve to a more positive outlook, building confidence and belief benefiting both professional and social aspects of life.
I would highly recommend Sian Taylor to anyone in need of an empathetic coach, who will listen without being judgemental, and can help in regaining inner confidences that can sometimes get lost along the way."
Ranjana Medagoda, IT Operations Manager
Successfully achieved desired outcomes
"Overall the sessions have been an extremely positive experience for me. I felt able to quickly build up a rapport with Sian, owing to her very friendly manner which enabled me to fully recount and reflect on my experiences using Sian’s coaching techniques.
We set some clear coaching objectives from the outset of the relationship which really helped to structure the sessions and I feel I have successfully achieved the desired outcomes. The sessions themselves were all very productive, at an appropriate pace, enjoyable and a positive experience as I felt I was in a safe space to discuss my thoughts and ideas with Sian expertise to guide me through my thought processes.
Sian has been extremely helpful, reassuring and professional throughout and her timekeeping was excellent. I have found it very easy to put into practice the concepts we have discussed in sessions in my daily life and this had positively impacted on both my personal and professional life."
Fresh perspective
"It was a pleasure to have Sian Taylor as my coach whilst I was dealing with a major restructure at work. Having time to reflect and talk openly to Sian was invaluable as the sessions gave me the opportunity to focus on coping strategies for myself. Her stimulating questions made me think and have given me a fresh perspective. I made commitments to take decisive action to enable me to manage the situation at work which I kept to because I had agreed them with Sian; I am confident I can sustain that approach now. The coaching helped me to keep a sense of perspective and to become stronger as a senior leader."
Sandra Sharpe, Deputy Director (Programmes),
Manchester Metropolitan University
Professional, knowledgeable and warm
"I have known Sian professionally for a while and she is a great connection. Her manner is professional, knowledgeable and always warm. I would definitely recommend her as a coach, through such work I have found her to be insightful, attentive and understanding."
Gavin Deadman, Senior Staff Learning and Development Advisor,
The University of Manchester
Empathic, calm yet thought provoking
"I have had the privilege of experiencing Sian's work as a coach, where she demonstrates an empathic, calm yet thought provoking approach. I have had no hesitation in recommending Sian to colleagues and those who have worked with her have expressed to me how helpful their work with Sian has been."
Paul Walsh, Organisation Development and Training Officer,
Manchester Metropolitan University
Honesty and integrity
"One of Sian’s greatest strengths is her ability to really listen to what people are saying. She demonstrates a high level of both insight and empathy into the issues you are facing, and provides support with honesty and integrity.
She is able to guide you to recognising the core of a problem or difficulty, and to help you to move forward. Sian is the kind of person that you want to call upon when you need advice, or simply when you need someone to listen to you – calm, thoughtful, perceptive, non-judgemental, and caring."
Service Manager, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Enabling self-development
"Sian has been a fantastic coach, putting me at ease from our first session, encouraging reciprocal openness. With her help, I have learned a great deal about how I think; how I could work better with others and could adapt to accommodate their availability.
Calm, honest and attentive, Sian’s approach to coaching meant that I left each session with a new realisation. I looked forward to my next session, eager to share how I applied what I had learned.
As a result of being coached by Sian, I am more confident, self-aware and better prepared to question my own ideas. I am very grateful for her time and ability which has enabled my self-development. I would wholeheartedly recommend Siân as a coach. She will help you to learn and always feel that you are progressing."
JH, Great Places Housing Group
Thoughtful and insightful
"I have experienced first-hand her skills in bringing out the best in people, building confidence and getting to the heart of issues with intelligent questioning. She is extremely personable and genuinely wants to connect with those she works and interacts with. Her thoughtful and insightful way of talking around problems or concerns has allowed me to make considered decisions in matters both personal and professional."
Carly Rolfe, Centre Administrator,
The University of Manchester
Calm, level headed and focussed on solutions
"She is calm, level headed, focussed on practical solutions, and provided our senior management team with high quality advice, support and guidance which was critical to achieving our goals."
Prof Peter Bower, Centre for Primary Care, The University of Manchester
Improving situation and prospects
"I really can’t say enough to recommend Sian Taylor as a professional coach. The support she has given me has been so helpful in my professional development.
She immediately put me at ease, really listened and reacted in a very positive way. She had so many suggestions of how to approach things differently and try to improve my thought processes when assessing myself and made me feel more positive about what I could do to improve my situation and prospects.
It was so refreshing to have someone to gently challenge what were quite negative thoughts in a safe and trusting way, so I could work through from a different perspective."
Project Manager, The University of Manchester
Autonomy and owning decisions
"Sian always asked the right, stimulating questions that helped me to get to the bottom of issues I had, and to find the most efficient solutions to problems. I felt very well listened to and supported, whilst having a sense of autonomy and independently making decisions, owning full responsibility for them.
It has certainly been a pleasure attending sessions with someone who not only was professional but friendly and approachable at the same time. Despite talking often about difficult subjects, Sian always managed to make the discussion positive, by skilfully navigating and encouraging me to bring out relevant parts of the story to the light. She created the atmosphere of openness that was inviting to share my experiences without being judged, but being shown empathy instead.
I value the whole coaching experience with Sian I was lucky enough to have, and I am sure it is one that I will greatly benefit from in my career in the future."
AB, The University of Manchester
Blossoming career
“Siân was my line manager and part of her job involved supporting me within my role and career development as well as leading projects and steering bioscience strategy. Siân was always friendly and approachable but incredibly professional. With both work and non-work issues Siân consistently showed she really cared and took pleasure in my success and achievements.
Siân is naturally a great listener. She would ask relevant questions to clarify and reflect before advising and it was always worth listening to! I felt she always completely understood the challenges I brought to her. She showed me much empathy and was very encouraging during our time working together. Her feedback would be insightful and delivered with tact and diplomacy.
A confident and effective leader, Siân has a natural ability to adapt her approach to suit the individual and in doing so could get the best out of her team. I really feel that I blossomed in my career because of her guidance and support. It was a real pleasure to work with Siân! I believe she has the qualities of a fantastic coach.”
Roz Brant, Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca
