Mary Anna Wright completed the MSc in 1994 and now lives in London, working as a qualified coach focusing on professional development, and researching the impact of consciousness exploration. She discusses how Human Ecology informs her coaching, and how coaching helps her navigate the complex waters of life.

Mary Anna writes: When I joined the CHE way back in 1992, my life choices were spontaneous, only restricted by imagination. Now married, mortgaged and manager of a busy team, my decisions don’t just affect me anymore. Change has become daunting, because it’s become complex.

This is why I find coaching invaluable.

To get a radical voice heard, it’s sometimes useful to have a smart suit in your wardrobe and play the corporate game. My career has taken me from eco-charities to The City, a national newspaper and a rapidly improving London Council. Coaching gives me the resources to stick to my values, and not drown in alien waters.

This cross-sector experience showed me that ineffective practices and dissatisfied workforces happen anywhere. Somehow it’s even more frustrating when the organisation I’ve worked for has an inspirational purpose, but lacks the structure and procedures to achieve it.

It used to seem like a personal coach was the latest ‘must have’ accessory for the corporate world. But it’s unlikely the private sector would waste money on fads. Indeed, a recent Chartered Institute for Professional Development survey shows that 84% of companies find coaching excellent in leadership development. It’s only natural for a much broader audience to now use coaching.

Be the change you wish to see in the world

As Human Ecologists, many of us have tried to put Gandhi’s words into action. Yet we go through periods feeling stuck - unclear about how change can take place. Coaching can help us gain clarity about our own way forward, and help make the path more compelling.

Gandhi’s emphasis was being the change you wish to see. Not only does this put onus on each of us to act, it also allows us to set our own priorities for change. Unlike mentoring or consultancy, in coaching the client decides on the agenda: you are the only person who knows what is the best way for you.

Sailing away from the safe harbour

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” –Mark Twain

Earlier this year I posted a note to the CHE network about coaching. The response was amazing. Many people were striving to make a difference, but felt overwhelmed. Others wanted to change their lives, but weren’t sure where to start. It prompted me to work with a new programme, designed to help people in life transitions.

It seems those most fulfilled by work are in careers reflecting their true values, passions and innate strengths. This understanding alone may not be enough - like reading a self-help book but flicking past the exercises. Something more is needed to create appropriate and realistic possibilities and act on them.

The work I do has three elements. The explore phase allows people to learn more about themselves – skills, passions and motivations. In the dream phase, they look beyond professional or domestic limitations. By the time they finish the discover phase, they have an exciting vision and a sound action plan to make it happen.

If you are ready to sail away from the safe harbour and would like to find out more about how you can explore, dream and discover new places, please do get in touch This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

For general information about coaching and advice about choosing a coach, visit www.coachfederation.org