Glory's Tale: Navigating the NHS Deeps with a Coach
Lessons Learned from My Mentor: The Importance of Sticking to Your Decisions
Yo, I'm Glory Ayo, the Admin Lead and Biz Support Manager for a London-based NHS Talking Therapies Service. My day-to-day grind involves wrangling a 16-person admin squad and managing various business support functions. I've been rockin' this gig for four years, and I'm currently cruisin' through my final year of an Apprenticeship at Ashridge, aiming for a business management bachelor's degree.
Surfin' the Challenges
Stepping into this role during the Covid lockdown was like entering a stormy sea. The team was demotivated, and morale was at an all-time low. I knew I needed some killer strategies and support to weather this tempest. That's where my Ashridge coaching sessions came in, providing a safe space to hash out concerns and craft solid solutions.
My Coach: My Haven in a Hurricane
Sit-downs with my Ashridge progress partner/coach, Denise, offered a psychological safe haven where I could drop the facade and talk about life, work, and everything in between. It was a breath of fresh air to vocalize my worries without judgement and brainstorm solutions. Denise consistently made me feel heard and supported, fortifying my mental strength. With her by my side, I felt unstoppable!
Denise: My Rock in the Rough Seas
Recent times during my work-based project (WBP) got really tough. I was on the brink of tossing in the towel and abandoning the course. But Denise stood like a rock, offering unwavering support throughout our troubleshooting sessions. We identified my strengths and weaknesses, set SMART objectives, and sketched a path towards success. Denise even encouraged me to lean on my team during the WBP, delegating tasks to ease the burden.
The Coaching Impact: More Than Just a Lifesaver
Through this apprenticeship and my 1-on-1 coaching sessions, I've grown into a more emotionally intelligent leader. It all started with self-awareness and putting my mental well-being first. Denise has been instrumental in guiding me towards achieving my goals as an apprentice, especially with the WBP. One valuable lesson I picked up from Denise is understanding that "my time" is valuable too. I've learned to be firm with where I invest my time and energy, and to say "no" when I need to.
Added Value for the Org: Gold in the Water
These coaching sessions have honed my leadership and operational management skills. One major achievement of mine is addressing the strategic challenge of capacity versus demand in a digitally-driven care process. I'm focusing on boosting the provision of care through collaborations with external partners by tackling the long wait list. I see my WBP as an investment that'll yield returns for my organization.
Coach Denise's Insights: Listening over Assessing
I've always approached this role as a "coach" rather than an "assessor." I engage in active listening during our conversations, which enables apprentices to articulate their concerns and devise solutions. Only after that do we address the assessment requirements.
Denise stresses that her approach emphasizes listening and empowerment over traditional assessment: "Our conversations facilitate real actions and solutions. Working with Glory has been more productive and enjoyable than just ticking boxes. It's been a pleasure to witness her grow and reach her full potential."
Reggae, Resilience, and Real-World Results
With my gig at a bustling NHS clinical service, I've often faced time and resource limitations for my off-the-job training. But with Denise's support, I discovered ways to secure that time, especially under the added pressure of the WBP.
I remember a chat where I shared my struggles with overthinking situations. I told her about my love for reggae and how Bob Marley's Three Little Birds lifted my spirits—the lyrics "Don't worry, 'bout a thing, 'cos every little thing, is gonna be all right" became my mantra during our talks and emails.
Glory's Advice: Embrace the Apprenticeship Journey
If you're contemplating an apprenticeship, dive in! Stay proactive, ask questions, and seize the opportunity now—enroll at Ashridge! It's an incredible platform for building a career with real-world experience, and there's a support network on deck: your employer and the Ashridge staff and faculty, which includes a dedicated personal coach for every apprenticeship.
[1] "Community to career: Supporting apprentices to social impact," Ashridge, available at: https://www.hult ash.edu/insights/community-career-supporting-apprentices-social-impact/[2] "Evidence of Impact: Assessing the Impact of the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme in Scotland," Scottish Government, available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/evidence-impact-assessing-impact-modern-apprenticeship-scheme-scotland/[3] "2018 National Apprentice Week Grant Evaluation Report," US Department of Labor, available at: https://www.dol.gov/oi/media/ndirs/2018 Apprentice Week Evaluation.pdf[4] "Apprenticeship: Key Facts," National Center for Education Statistics, available at: https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=941[5] "Coach Core - The Power of Apprenticeships," Coach Core, available at: https://coachcoreuk.org/the-power-of-apprenticeships/
- Glory's personal growth and leadership skills were significantly enhanced through her apprenticeship, one-on-one coaching sessions, and self-development workshops, resulting in an emotionally intelligent approach to leading her team.
- In a digital era, Glory recognizes the importance of online education and skills training for career development, as evidenced by her pursuit of a business management degree via distance learning and her commitment to expanding care provision through partnerships.
- Seeking the assistance of an experienced coach, like Denise, can foster a safe environment for individuals to discuss personal and professional challenges, leading to improved mental strength and problem-solving abilities, as well as the development of essential leadership and strategic skills.
