Let me start with some questions, and ask if you would answer YES or NO:

• Would you send an appeal but not process the donations.
• Would you plan a new strategy but tell no one about it, but still expecting it to be actioned.
• Would you develop a relationship with a new corporate partner but not turn up to the final pitch for COTY.

I am thinking the answer to all these questions is NO or of course we wouldn’t invest this time and money then STOP just before the finishing line!

Especially if the implications of not finishing were losing the confidence of our supporters, teams and partners impacting on ability to raise money, and create the change we want to see in this world for beneficiaries. 

So, I am wondering why we invest so much time and money in finding the right person for a role, and then expect them to find their own way to the finishing line. Wouldn’t it be better, kinder, and more effective to support them to win the race from day one?

I am sure that you have welcomed your new team member on their first day, created an induction programme, shared handover notes, a list of important actions, documents to read and people to meet. This is great and very important to help this individual feel included. However, this perhaps assumes we are all the same, with the same needs, experiences, ways of coping and dealing with change.

Change can be stressful, even positive change like a new job. Because what felt comfortable before will now look different, with new ways of working, new relationships, and new expectations. Pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone can feel hard, there will be moments of exhilaration, as something falls into place, along with times where feel exhausted by all that is expected of us and the desire to get it right, be right and certainly not get it wrong! 

Coaching can support people in many ways but most importantly it provides a safe, non-judgmental space to openly discuss, explore, and find solutions to challenges, that open the opportunities for lasting change.  It is like having our own personal cheer leader encouraging us to the finish line, believing in our abilities and helping us manage any negative thoughts, so feel more secure to speak up and ask questions. Freeing our mind, and time up to focus on what others need from us.

Coaching is about conversations that lead to transformation and doing things differently. A new approach brings new results. Helping to get draw the maximum potential from each person.

How do individuals benefit from coaching?

• Helps develop resilience, with a focus on wellbeing so positively managing overwhelm.
• Supports the development of open and productive professional relationships.
• Builds confidence, self-belief, and self-awareness to ask for help when needed.
• Explores their leadership, management approach and style to model the best approach.

How do charity partners benefit from coaching?

• People who are more resilient so better able to deal with change and conflict.
• People who have improved communication and decision-making skills.
• People who more quickly contribute effectively to the team and the organisation.
• People who help create thriving workplaces where staff feel safe to contribute fully.

WR Fundraising Recruitment in partnership with Sarah Tite Coaching Ltd are committed to creating happy, thriving workplaces where people feel safe to contribute rather than too fearful of speaking up, of sharing their ideas that bring the innovation and problem-solving this sector needs to meet the challenges ahead.

Together we are supporting charities in two ways. Firstly, candidates are offered three one-to-one online coaching sessions at a time that works for them, as they start their new role. Investing in their self-belief, supporting them to have greater comfort in taking risks and pushing beyond old comfort zones, giving them a greater sense of empowerment and confidence.

This is what Rosa said about starting a new job supported by Sarah;

“Friends, family and colleagues may have thought I was coping remarkably well when I started a new job, but it was only because Sarah gave me the space to reflect each week” - Rosa

Secondly, we are inviting charity partners to invest in enabling their new team members to hit the ground running while thriving, not just surviving in their new role. Supporting them to quickly establish themselves, to confidently take action towards achieving goals and become more self-reliant – freeing you up to focus more fully on that biggest challenges your charity is facing that need the unique  expertise and experience you bring.

Our confident leadership programme includes six one-to-one coaching sessions, with a pre-start discovery call for new team member and line manager, if needed, to answer questions and explore areas for discussion. Each week we would focus together on setting intentions and produce ongoing journey updates to support reflection, celebration and areas for deeper learning.

The benefits of coaching are many, from impact on an individual’s wellbeing to the ripple effect this has across teams and organisations;

Research has shown that 86% of organisations report that they recouped

their investment in coaching and more (IOC).

If you are interested in finding out more about how WR Fundraising Recruitment are investing in thriving leadership across the charity sector, email fundraisers@wr-rec.uk or give our friendly team a call, we'd love to chat….