Meet The Member - Katherine Scott Coaching
Katherine Scott Coaching
We caught up with our member, Katherine, to learn about her journey into becoming a career coach for designers and creatives.
We are very happy to have you as a member of We Are Harpenden and we are sure our readers would love to hear about what it is that you do.
Thank you so much for having me! I’m a career coach, working with creative professionals who have built a successful career but find themselves at a crossroads, or are creeping close to burnout. Together we uncover options and possibilities that ends the cycle of indecision about what to, so they find the courage to make changes and create the life they want, doing work they’re proud of and spending time more time with those they love, doing what makes them happy.
The people who typically come to you for coaching, what stage of their career are they usually in?
They are twenty years into a career that they chose when they were in their twenties. They have climbed the ladder and have a wealth of experience, but they are stressed out by the demands of their job or have fallen out of love with what they do. On top of that, they are juggling the needs of their children, ageing parents and trying to maintain a social life! They’d love to quit the job, or dabble in something that they’re passionate about, but don’t dare because they can’t they have too many responsibilities and need to maintain the salary to pay the mortgage (and kids clubs).
What are the main challenges you see people facing in creative businesses?
The three main challenges I see are:
1) Once in a senior role, creatives don’t get to be creative anymore! They have to manage people, budgets and critical time paths. The thing that drives them is extinguished, and they feel stifled.
2) Creatives often feel like the poor cousin within a corporate organisation. They struggle to make themselves understood and don’t feel they are listened to. But the creatives are critical – without them, the commercial teams and the financial folk often have nothing to sell! Creatives need to ask questions and learn more about commerciality so they can see the value they add and demonstrate it to others;
3) Like many of us, creatives struggle with imposter syndrome. Many of my clients don’t attribute their own skills, experience and achievements to their success. In a room full of other talented people, they feel like they areless than. My job is to help them see how they’ve earned their place, to see the impact they have and build their confidence
When it comes to how you coach, what are the most important things for your clients to feel coming away from the session?
I have an informal, open nature and the most important thing to me is creating a safe space for my clients to talk about whatever is on their mind. Often clients say their inner thoughts out loud for the very first time and that can feel like a weight has been lifted!
I coach intuitively, guided by my clients and what they hope to get from the session. Sometimes they have a whole mindset shift, other times they make a structured plan but often it is just a new feeling of calm or clarity. I’m confident that in every session, however long or short, clients will feel empowered to take their first steps towards a happier, calmer and more rewarding life.
Before people come for a session what is a question they usually ask?
They want to know how many sessions they will have. I recommend six sessions to get momentum and see progress, but even one coaching session can make a big difference to someone.
Before getting into this business, did you have another profession? Was it a big leap to start this?
I worked as an HR lead in creative industries for over twenty years. I was always committed to creating a culture and environment where people can thrive, providing learning and development opportunities and working across teams to build collaborative and effective relationships. Coaching managers and individuals to be at their best has always been part of my job.
What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
I love how coaching makes people feel lighter and more positive about their future. Often, we only see what’s in front of us, get stuck in a rut and can’t see alternatives. But coaching opens up possibilities and options, and options give us choices. I love seeing those ah-ha moments when people realise that they can do more than they ever dared to dream.
Your top tip for someone who isn’t sure they are on the right path in their career?
Get some coaching! Indecision can be paralysing and being stuck or miserable at work will damage your mental health. Coaching can act as a circuit break, as it opens up options for you to explore. But the great thing is, what you do with this new insight is up to you. You don’t have to do anything different at all but it will allow you to make enlightened, considered decisions about your future.
If there was one thing you could encourage others to do or to reflect on when it comes to their own career?
Working in alignment with your passion is the key to a happy work life. If you’ve been doing a job for twenty years, it can be hard to put your finger on what your passions are! I ask my clients to think about how they’d spend their time if money was no object or reflect back to their childhood days to remember how they spent their time as kids. Drawing, painting, dancing, singing, football, hockey… the key is often in there somewhere.
Where in Harpenden is your favourite spot to go in your spare time?
I love Brad and Dills, and the coffee shop at the Oval!