Political and Public Sector Coaching
Godfrey Coaching has built a unique specialism, providing coaching services and leadership development to individuals and teams working in politics and the public sector.
Those working as Ministers, MPs, advisors, or in senior public sector roles, are often motivated by a powerful sense of purpose, driven to work on issues and in constituencies they are heavily invested in (and may have been so their whole lives).
Yet, a career in politics and public service can take its toll. Working in these areas, there are a number of unique challenges you will likely need to overcome, including:
Personalised, high-stakes, working environment
Unique accountability structures - elections and media scrutiny
Blurred management structure and lack of training
Operating as a ‘start-up’, without significant funding or support
Lack of team structures and HR processes.
Online abuse and bullying
Work/Life balance pressure
Because of the effort required, and sacrifices needed to succeed, individuals in politics are often driven and keen to get on and make an impact. This makes for a highly fertile environment for coaching, yet too few people in politics have been offered coaching, or would consider it applicable to their political journey.
We believe high-quality leadership coaching has the opportunity to transform our politics. In addition to helping address the challenges above, leadership coaching can deliver improved resilience, positive perspectives, greater focus, and increased self-awareness. Coaching programmes can help create a new generation of self-aware leaders, armed with the tools they need to deliver the change they believe in, and overcome the challenges in their way.
Our Programs
Our most common way of working is through an individual 1-2-1 program, following our usual individual coaching format (individuals meeting with a coach once of twice a month for an hour, most likely by Zoom, but often face-to-face).
We have also worked with political leadership teams to explore working styles, strengths, weaknesses and team dynamics. In the public sector we work with high-intensity teams in Whitehall, the NHS, and Fire and Rescue Services to build resilience and prevent burnout.
We will also work with cohorts of leaders (for example newly elected representatives, female MPs, political or regional groupings, and MPs who have recently lost their seats). This can be delivered by a team of individual coaches (see below) or through group work and online resources.
Coaches
Jim Godfrey spent a decade in frontline UK politics, serving as the Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. He is now a triple-certified executive coach with experience working with leaders and teams around the world. He is also a Board Member of The Mindfulness Initiative, a charity working with politicians and legislatures around the world to promote more mindful political cultures.
Hazel Anderson Turner is a Certified Business Psychologist and Coach who has served as Head of Workforce Development for Hampshire Constabulary, Fire & Rescue and County Council. During lockdown she lead a team of coaches working with senior NHS leaders to deliver resilience and burnout prevention programmes.
Lisa Quinn is a former Director of Communications (National Lottery / Hearst / Royal London) and Director at Taylor Bennett, the leading public and corporate affairs headhunting firm. As a senior coach and mindfulness teacher, she has helped former MPs navigate work, and life, after elected politics.
If you work in politics or in a senior public sector role and are interested in finding out more, please click below to arrange a confidential consultation.
“Jim is a brilliant coach - really good at listening, helping you understand your strengths and become the best possible version of yourself. And he knows politics and media from the inside out”
“Jim has extensive experience of working in politics, communications and the private sector. Politicians benefit greatly from having groups of trusted people they can go to for unfiltered advice and robust feedback. He is one of those people - totally supportive, but always honest and direct.”
“Unless you have worked in politics, it’s difficult to truly understand the unique pressure and challenges that every politician and political advisor faces. Jim understands this and brings a calm confidence to his coaching. He helps people focus on the things that matter most to them - and dial down any unwanted background noise.”