Amy Wolohan Coaching

Huge congratulations to all the incredible young people receiving their A-Level results today! You have worked so hard for this, and you should be so proud of everything you've accomplished, regardless of the outcome. These results are a testament to your dedication and resilience, but they do not define your future.

Whether you achieved the grades you hoped for or not, remember that you have choices. There are so many exciting paths you can take, and today is about celebrating the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next.

Here is some useful resources to help you with what to do next:

🎓 If you didn't get the grades for your first-choice university, don't panic. The first step is to contact that university directly. They may still be able to offer you a place. If not, you can explore other options through Clearing, a process that matches applicants to university places that are yet to be filled. You can find out more about Clearing through the UCAS website.

👩‍⚖️👨‍🔬👩‍🔧👮👷‍♀️An apprenticeship is a fantastic way to earn a wage while you learn, gaining valuable on-the-job experience and a recognised qualification. If you don't have a job lined up yet, you can search and apply for apprenticeships on the GOV.UK "Find an apprenticeship" service.

📅📄If you're looking to jump straight into the workforce, it's time to master that CV! Make sure it's up-to-date with all your work experience, even if it's part-time or voluntary. Focus on highlighting your transferable skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, which you've developed through your studies and extracurricular activities. To help you decide on a role or industry, check out the National Careers Service website, which has hundreds of job profiles and a skills assessment to help you find a good fit.

Parents/Carers:
As a coach, I see young people get stuck far too often, and so your support is crucial right now. Here are some steps you can take to help your child make an informed decision:

Stay Calm and Reassuring: Your child might be feeling a mix of emotions—excitement, disappointment, or anxiety. The most important thing you can do is be a calming and supportive presence. Reassure them that their future isn't determined by these results and that you'll help them explore all their options.

Encourage Exploration: Help them research all the different pathways available, not just the one they had in mind. Look into various university courses through Clearing, apprenticeship opportunities, and different industries for full-time work.

Facilitate the Conversation: Talk to them about their interests, strengths, and what they enjoy doing. Help them to connect these things to potential career paths. You could ask questions like, "What did you enjoy most about your studies?" or "What kind of work environment do you think you'd thrive in?"

Let Them Lead: While you can offer to help with research, let them take ownership of the process. Admissions officers and employers, want to hear from the students themselves, and it's essential for them to feel in control of their own future.

Celebrate Their Hard Work: No matter the outcome, make sure you celebrate their hard work. They have worked hard for this, and they deserve to feel proud of their effort.

If anyone needs more one-on-one support navigating these decisions, please don't hesitate to contact me. I can help students identify their unique strengths and find a path that is right for them, or I can offer support to parents with facilitating the conversation, helping you ask the right questions.

UCAS.com

https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/discover-your-skills-and-careers

As a qualified coach, I can honestly say there's nothing that energizes me more than witnessing others unlock their potential. Being their biggest cheerleader, offering support in ways they never knew they needed – that's truly where I thrive. The joy of watching clients succeed, gain clarity, and find their strength is immeasurable.

But here's a recent realisation that hit close to home: While I pour my heart into coaching others, I recently had to take a step back and consider... ME.

It's a common trap, isn't it? We're so focused on empowering others that we sometimes neglect our own needs. That's why, even as a coach, I have a coach! They're invaluable in helping me frame the questions I would ask another in my situation, holding up that mirror so I can find my own answers.

This experience has only deepened my conviction: Coaching is a profoundly powerful tool. It helps us uncover answers, achieve clarity, and tap into the strength that lies within us. When we truly understand ourselves, we begin to understand our place and purpose, leading to better, more aligned decisions.

And it's not just about individual growth. As a leader, knowing how to effectively coach your team drives engagement, innovation, and ultimately, better results.

So why aren’t we all coaching/being coached?Here are a few examples how Coaching can help:

🌳Enhanced Self-Awareness: Coaching facilitates a deeper understanding of one's values, strengths, and blind spots. This self-knowledge is critical for making decisions that are aligned with personal goals and authentic aspirations, reducing post-decision regret.

🌳Clarifying Priorities and Goals: Coaches help individuals articulate and prioritize what truly matters, cutting through the noise. This clarity makes decision-making less overwhelming and more focused, ensuring choices serve a larger purpose.

🌳Exploring Multiple Perspectives and Options: A skilled coach encourages clients to consider various angles and potential outcomes they might not have seen on their own. This holistic view leads to more robust and well-thought-out decisions, minimizing tunnel vision.

🌳Building Confidence and Reducing Indecision: By empowering individuals to find their own solutions, coaching builds confidence in their decision-making abilities. This can significantly reduce procrastination and the anxiety often associated with big choices.

Get in touch to discuss how coaching can unlock your potential

Image taken by me at the Museum of Illusions, Manchester: mirrors representing the illusion of endless opportunities

What a week it's been for growth, connection, and strengthening my coaching capabilities! And it was a reminder of the importance to surround yourself with people who support, uplift, and champion your success.

This week, I was fortunate enough to spend time with some incredible colleagues from across the globe. We dedicated the week to refining our coaching skills, taking our coaching to a new level, pushing each other to grow, and fostering a truly safe environment for learning and honest feedback.

But beyond the skills, the most valuable takeaway was undoubtedly the deepening of our relationships. The strong women in this photo aren't just colleagues; they're cherished friends who energise me in immeasurable ways! I'm already feeling their absence (this sweet shot was them waving me off).

It's a beautiful reminder that life isn't about competing, but about creating space for all of us to thrive and shine brightly! ✨

Hey everyone!👋 It's been a while so I thought I'd share something I've recently been talking about a lot in my work!

Mission Statements!

Ever feel like you're drifting, unsure of the direction you want your life to take? A powerful tool to anchor yourself and guide your decisions is having a personal mission statement.

Think of a mission statement as your personal constitution – a concise declaration of your core values and the kind of person you aspire to be. It's not about specific goals (though it can inform them!), but rather about your fundamental principles and how you want to navigate the world.

❔How can a mission statement guide your life?

By keeping your mission statement in mind, you can:

🙂Make aligned decisions: When faced with choices, ask yourself: "Does this align with the person I want to be?"
☺️Stay true to your values: It acts as a compass, ensuring you don't compromise on what truly matters to you.
👍Find clarity and purpose: It provides a framework for understanding your motivations and priorities.
💪Build resilience: When challenges arise, your mission statement can remind you of your inner strength and direction.

✍️Ready to craft your own compelling mission statement? Here are a few top tips:

Reflect on your core values: What principles are non-negotiable for you? Think about qualities like integrity, kindness, creativity, or courage.
Consider your impact: How do you want to interact with the world and the people around you? What kind of difference do you want to make?
Keep it concise and memorable: Aim for a statement that is easy to recall and resonates deeply with you.
Use active and inspiring language: Your mission statement should energise and motivate you.
Focus on who you want to BE, not just what you want to DO: It's about your character and guiding principles.

Crafting a personal mission statement is an investment in yourself and your future. It's a journey of self-discovery that can bring profound clarity and direction to your life.

I'd love to hear from you! Have you ever thought about creating a personal mission statement? What are some of the values that are most important to you? Share in the comments below! 👇

If you're feeling stuck and would like some guidance in creating a powerful personal mission statement that truly reflects who you are and who you want to become, feel free to reach out! Let's explore how coaching can help you unlock your potential.

Just like in business, success in sports often comes down to focus and dedication in critical moments.
I’m incredibly proud to sponsor my boy this season, and today he exemplified these qualities in a high-stakes penalty shootout.
With all eyes on him, he remained calm and focused, not only excelling as goalkeeper but also confidently scoring his own penalty!
It was a nail-biting experience for me watching from the sidelines, but his team's win proves that when you stay dedicated and focused, you can achieve remarkable results.

On to the next round! ⚽️💪🏻🩵

Shevington Football Club

What's Your Leadership Legacy? 💬

Leadership is not just about the titles we hold or the projects we complete, but how we choose to lead ourselves and we encourage each other to consider the lasting impact we have on the people around us.

I firmly believe that the foundation of any successful leadership journey starts with mindset. It's about leading ourselves well before we lead others.
But what does this look like?
Self-Awareness: Truly understanding our strengths, weaknesses, and triggers.
Humility: Recognising that we don't have all the answers and valuing the contributions of others.
Purposeful: Aligning our actions with a clear vision and a commitment to making a positive difference.

When we prioritise these aspects, we create a ripple effect that empowers others, fosters trust, and drives meaningful results.

My Leadership Legacy is to live authentically, share generously, and create a lasting legacy of love and influence.
By embracing my true self, sharing my skills freely and empowering others I believe I can make a positive difference.

🤔❓I'm curious, what's one key element of your leadership legacy that you're most proud of? And how do you cultivate a strong leadership mindset?

Not the most flattering pictures but that aside, I had a lovely 2 hours with Kathryn and her team!

The main objective was to learn how to work effectively as a team, the importance of effective communication and practice some new skills whilst reflecting on the salons purpose and values

I am excited to see the impact this has on your clients, each other and yourselves

Throughout my career I have embraced feedback. If given for the purposes of support and growth, it can accelerate a persons success.

Recently, I received a simple message: "Do you have a minute for a quick call?" Little did I know, that "quick call" would be a masterclass in how to deliver impactful, supportive feedback.
Instead of a critique, I was met with kindness and genuine interest. The person asked for permission to share their observations, created a safe space for dialogue, and listened intently to my perspective. No defensiveness, no judgment – just a professional, constructive exchange.

It struck me how rare and valuable this experience was. How often do we truly create those safe spaces for feedback, where growth is the shared goal?

This interaction reminded me of the impact of effective feedback. Highlighting our blind spots, offering invaluable insights for personal and professional development.

Here are a few of my top tips for giving effective feedback:

🤝 Ask Permission: Respect the other person's time and readiness.
☺️ Create a Safe Space: Foster trust and open communication.
⌛ Find the Right Time: Ensure both parties are prepared for a productive conversation.
👂 Listen Actively: Truly hear and understand the other person's perspective.
🌻 Focus on Growth: Frame feedback as an opportunity for development.

I'll leave you with two questions:
How do you create safe spaces for feedback in your work?
What are your go-to strategies for delivering or receiving constructive feedback

Celebrating International Women’s Day!

Today, I'm reflecting on my own journey, both personally and professionally, and the challenges I've faced as a woman. From learning to truly listen to my body to taking decisive action for my health, I've come to understand the profound importance of support and safe spaces.

6 weeks ago today, I underwent life-changing surgery, thrusting me into surgical menopause. This experience has underscored the reality that women often navigate significant health challenges that are not always openly discussed.

This year's IWD theme, , resonates deeply. We must acknowledge that barriers to gender equality persist, particularly in the workplace. Let's commit to creating environments where women feel supported, where limitations are accepted, and where open conversations about health and well-being are encouraged.

I'm lucky to have support in all aspects of my life, but I challenge you to reflect on the impact you have in this space and ask yourself two questions:

♀️ 'Am I encouraging open conversations creating a safe space for women's to bring their whole self to work?'

♀️ 'What more can I do to accelerate gender equality?'

As a member of the Institute of Leadership, I often join webinars and events to learn more about current thinking and keep up to date with research and approaches to management and leadership
Today's webinar did not fail to inspire
The wonderful Clare Portman and Gail Bennett from Peopletopia delivered a clear presentation on the 3 most critical mistakes managers make and the research linked to proving their effectiveness when done right.

So what are the 3 topics discussed and why should you care?

🎯 Failing to set clear expectations | For businesses who are able to set clearly defined goals, see more than 50% increase in productivity
How can you get it right?
🟣Get buy-in by having a 2-way discussion around expectations
🟣Help your employee see the bigger picture by providing context
🟣Share how they might achieve the goal? Not sure what the goal is

⚖️Neglecting to provide Feedback | Employees who receive meaningful feedback are almost 4 times more likely to be engaged, with 92% of employees agreeing that feedback is important
When offering feedback make sure it will improve either:
🟪Competence
🟪Confidence

🙏Forgetting to say 'Thank you' | Showing gratitude fosters a culture of trust and collaboration
Saying Thank you helps to build your relationships, demonstrates compassion and can show humility. We can't always do everything by ourselves, so acknowledge when someone does something that moves a project forward, achieves a goal or does something that helps you or your team

As a Coach I have had many conversations with Leaders about these topics. How they can improve their listening skills, how to manage 'up' and especially how to ensure timely and effective feedback

Being a Leader is more than your job title, it's the ability to build impactful relationships. To be an effective leader, you must earn trust and show humility, and be ready to learn

To learn more about how Coaching can help you grow as a Leader, or help you be more effective, Let's Talk!

Thoroughly enjoyed being part of this day!
Watching how the students grow in confidence throughout the day and seeking feedback makes it all worth while
Some absolute stars amongst them who will go on to some truly amazing careers
Thanks to Carol for the invite and placing her trust in my experience once again