Client Story: Helen Jones
From manager to CEO in 18 months.
Name: Helen Jones
Job: CEO, Cambridge & District Citizens Advice
Problem: Overlooked for a promotion - felt bruised and stuck in a role she’d outgrown.
Success: Rebuilt her confidence, recognised her value as an introvert and developed belief that she could work at senior leadership level. In a few short months Helen secured a new, more senior role as Deputy CEO before being appointed CEO not long after.
Before working with Emma…
I was working at another Citizens Advice branch and although I’d risen from officer to manager level, I felt like I’d hit a ceiling
I was feeling quite stuck and around the same time my colleague, the other manager, was promoted to deputy CEO without a recruitment process
So I was feeling really overlooked, and a bit bruised
I reached out to Emma because I felt like I needed to take control of the situation and make opportunities for myself
I really wanted to progress into a more senior role so that I could get the job satisfaction I was looking for
But I was lacking in self-confidence and self-esteem – I’d been overlooked for a promotion and didn’t know why because I thought I was in a good position
So I wanted to explore all of that, to avoid bringing negativity into a future role and to help me get that next one
Helen’s Key Points
I’m introverted and I see that as a strength but it can come across as being someone that’s quite shy, that’s not willing to put their hand up
It’s about working in a different way that suits your personality rather than trying to fit yourself into the culture, and recognising you bring strengths that extraverted people don’t necessarily have
Coaching helped me to rebuild my confidence and see what value I could bring to a new organisation, and believe that I could work at senior level
We started working together in the summer and by December I had been offered the Deputy CEO role at Cambridge & District Citizens Advice
Within a few months I’d gone from feeling stuck, not sure what to do and lacking in self-confidence to starting a new, more senior role in a bigger team in a bigger organisation
Then within about 18 months I moved from deputy to CEO
Self-reflection and digging deep is quite hard but I had so many lightbulb moments - I found coaching a really positive and uplifting experience
Would recommend coaching to…
Anyone who feels they’re lacking in confidence or stuck in their role
Anyone who want a person to guide them, not tell them what to do – it’s a self-discovery journey and we all need that at times in our life
It’s not cheap and it takes time and energy and brain power but it’s worth the investment
What should others know about Emma?
Emma is the most supportive, caring and thoughtful person but also challenging at times, asking those awkward questions, really getting you to dig deep
It’s all in there – sometimes you just need someone to help you unlock it and see your potential and value
If you are feeling stuck and know you have a problem to tackle it’s always good to speak to somebody else and Emma is such an easy person to talk to – there’s no judgement or criticism. It’s a really safe and welcoming space focused on you.