Case Study – Jayne Edwards

Jayne Edwards is a trained Information Specialist who describes her role as making sure people understand and make the best use of information and knowledge. She has worked for Market Research and Sales & Marketing organisations, looking at analytics, the use of tools, and how information can be used as an aid to better decision-making.

Jayne is now a senior manager in the public sector, managing a team of 70 people. She is responsible for information handling and technologies to link information sources.

Carol Whitaker has been working with Jayne for over a year, although they have known each other for some time. They first worked together some years ago at a marketing information company, and more recently met up again at an Institute of Director's event.

To provide support in her very challenging role, Jane asked Carol to be her coach. In her current position, Jayne is breaking new ground, bringing private sector practices into the public sector. Jayne wanted the help of a 'critical friend' who would be neutral and unbiased, and not connected with her workplace. They have been working together to help with strategies and approaches, self-presentation, and using strengths to get results.

Working with Carol has given Jayne more confidence, showing her how to use her strengths, when often before she felt at a disadvantage. Talking things through with Carol has brought clarity to situations and issues.

What stands out for Jayne in her sessions with Carol, is planning how she can manage and influence others in the organisation, and develop her reputation. Managing her own staff is not an issue, but managing upwards and sideways, through influence and negotiation, has been the most transforming part of the coaching. There have been inevitable issues to be tackled as Jayne adapts her private sector style to one which is more effective in the public sector.

With Carol's help, Jayne has developed her personal plan looking forwards three years. This is not something fixed in stone: it is being changed and developed all the time. Jayne finds her sessions with Carol very targeted and outcome driven, and she is able to bring up new and specific challenges for discussion as they occur.

Jayne sees this as a long-term relationship. It works for her because Carol is so intuitive: while the questions Carol asks are very searching and get right to the heart of the matter, they are delivered with a sensitivity which renders them non-threatening. At the end of a dry and difficult day, the sessions with Carol give Jayne a lift, “They are not formulaic, but very flexible and fun - not at all like a management training course. Everything is different and fresh for each session”.

And would Jayne recommend Carol Whitaker? “Yes, wholeheartedly. Carol helps me focus on what I really want and break through barriers which can hold me back. She is innovative, inspirational and her style has provided me with room for thought and reflection.”