Charity leadership mentoring

Working as a leader in the charity sector can be demanding and sometimes isolating. It’s not always easy to find space to think through difficult decisions, career questions, or leadership challenges.

Tricky boards. Cultural and staff problems. Late night panics. It’s not for nothing I call my blog’s annual reviews of the sector ‘shitshow updates.’

So I offer mentoring for people working in civil society who would value a thoughtful outside perspective from someone who understands the sector well, and has probably been exactly where you are - good times and bad.

These conversations focus on you and your role, rather than the broader strategic challenges facing your organisation.

They can be useful when you are navigating a difficult situation, thinking about the next stage of your career, wanting to make the most of new opportunities, or simply wanting space to reflect on how things are going.

And sometimes you just need a primal scream….

So just bring yourself and a coffee.

 

What the sessions involve

Mentoring sessions are reflective conversations focused on your professional situation and the challenges and opportunities you’re facing. I had a fantastic mentor early on in my career that made a huge amount of difference to my working life, and I have mentored many others over the decades since.

Typically we will:

  • talk through the situation or decision you are dealing with

  • explore possible approaches or ways of thinking about it

  • identify practical next steps or changes that might help

Sometimes the value is simply having space to think things through with someone who understands the realities of the sector.

When mentoring can be useful

These sessions are often helpful if you are:

  • dealing with a difficult situation at work

  • navigating a leadership or management challenge

  • thinking about a career crossroads

  • feeling stuck or uncertain about the next step

  • wanting to reflect on how your work is going

  • want to make the most of opportunities or make a step change

The focus is on your role and professional life, rather than organisational consultancy.

What this looks like

We meet regularly, usually every month, to discuss your work, and whatever it is you want to focus on. Inbetween those sessions, I’m happy to talk over email with things that arise, and we can always arrange a quick additional call if there is particular things that come up urgently where you can’t wait. Usually we would agree a number of sessions over a period, but I can also offer single sessions if there is just a particular moment, or particular issue you want to discuss.

What I can’t offer

These sessions are mentoring rather than coaching or counselling. They draw on my experience of working across the charity sector in leadership, strategy, and organisational roles, and are intended as thoughtful professional conversations about your work and the situations you are facing.

They are not a form of therapy or formal coaching.