Caroline Allen
Based in Buckinghamshire, Caroline is a people development strategist, leadership and team development specialist and executive coach. She is founding Director of Red 10 People Development Ltd...
See Caroline's full biography>
Play Caroline's video>
How did you first get into coaching?
I was born asking questions and can happily challenge so I guess I was destined for law, football commentary or coaching. Then, in the early ‘90's whilst at Glaxo, I met Graham Alexander who developed the GROW model and he was the catalyst. I have now been coaching for 15 years.
How would you describe your coaching approach?
Ultimately, it's about helping people get back in control - to see what they are getting right and how to use their strengths. I'll offer my views if asked. Purists might argue but sometimes people simply need another view. Having coaching skills is one, albeit important thing, but good judgement, relationship and business insight are everything.
What are your areas of specialism?
Hmmm. I'm good at asking questions! My specialism is creating ‘connected' leaders and building their confidence to act decisively. We are not leaders until we are connected - head and heart, vision and reality, personal values with company values. When you feel connected, you access energy you didn't know you had. my skill is in helping people understand how their behaviour affects every positive and negative results they see around them - and if they are in a leadership role, how that behaviour creates culture and determines results.
What do you enjoy about coaching?
With one-to-one coaching, it's the opportunity to work in-depth and to enable something meaningful to happen quite quickly - to be catalytic.
Team coaching requires creative, in-the-moment thinking and action - I enjoy the challenge and fun that offers.
What kinds of people in what roles have you coached before?
Amongst others, I've had the privilege to coach research scientists, teachers, dentists, senior executives, secretaries, Americans, Spaniards, Indians, Italians, people in the private sector, people in the public sector, owners of SME's, IT specialists, photographers, journalists, HR Directors, Finance Directors, Marketing Directors and vets - all great people wanting a different result.
'I'm one of those tough customers who expects a lot. I value competence, results and common sense. Through Caroline's coaching I've developed into a leader able to flex my style, value my strengths, be aware of my weaknesses and manage myself and my teams through some tough situations.
I have no hesitation in putting my own credibility with my customers in her hands: I've hired her in successive blue chips to work with tough teams, high potential leaders and some who were de-railing. It's rare to find people so capable in this field, I continue to enjoy working with her.'
Kath Durrant
Group HR Director, Rolls-Royce
