Practitioner Diploma / “The biggest part for me was the deep exploration of who I am”

Anna Allerton is an executive leadership coach specialising in supporting professional women to navigate career transitions, from maternity and motherhood to menopause and mid-career change. With over 20 years’ experience in high-pressure corporate environments, including a senior leadership role at Sky, she brings deep insight into the realities of performance, progression and identity at the top of organisations. In this interview, Anna reflects on her Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching with the AoEC and how it has shaped her practice and purpose.

Prior to developing yourself as a coach, you worked as a sports journalist and TV producer at Sky TV. Who or what introduced you to coaching and led to you signing up for coach training with the AoEC?

I’m often asked about my “career pivot” into coaching, but journalism and coaching are much closer than many people realise. The core skills are highly transferable: asking insightful questions, listening carefully to the answers, and creating accountability. The values and ethics of both industries are also closely aligned.

During my time leading teams at Sky, I began experimenting with coaching models and competencies within my management style. After returning from maternity leave, I started working with my own executive coach, and that experience really ignited something in me. It became the stepping stone that led me to train with the AoEC.

What were some of the positives and challenges you experienced while doing the diploma?

The biggest part for me was the deep exploration of who I am - it was both rewarding and challenging at the same time. I thought I already knew the answer to that question, but as we went deeper, I discovered a lot about myself that I hadn’t previously considered on a surface level. That learning journey is something I deeply believe enables me to better support my clients today.

Another real positive was the variety of professionals within my cohort. Having come from Sky, where I spent almost 20 years, it was incredibly stimulating to learn alongside people from such a wide range of backgrounds and professions. I found the experience both enriching and eye-opening.

The diploma also created a safe space for me to learn, practise and experiment, while being surrounded by a “critical friend” environment that encouraged reflection and growth in my practice. It ultimately supported me in building my own coaching model - one that really underpins the work I do now.

What is your top advice to others considering coach training?

You won’t regret it. Talk to fellow executive coaches to understand what is involved and consider how you plan to use your new qualification. The course provides some incredibly useful learning for those of us who practice professionally but also for managers in the workplace.

Looking back at doing your diploma, what has been its lasting impact on you as a person and you as a coach?

I do recognise the lasting impact the diploma had on my interactions and listening skills – in my professional life but also personal life. The biggest impact is that it provided the foundation and stepping stone for me to set up my own coaching practice that I’ve been running now for four years.

Can you tell us more about your personal coaching model and how this has evolved since doing the diploma?

I continue to evolve my Work Smarter model - a framework that underpins my niche work exploring the connection between hormonal health and careers. I later went on to trademark and write about my Work Smarter in Menopause model in book, Myths of Menopause.

Like so many of us in this profession, I believe that the clients I work with are the experts in their own lives. My role is not to advise them, but to help deepen their self-awareness so they can make empowered decisions for themselves. Embracing individuality and uniqueness is a core part of this action-led model.

The framework continues to grow and evolve, which is one of the things I find most exciting - creating work that is constantly developing while supporting the growth of others.

You now work as an executive leadership coach and set up your own practice – Allerton Coaching and Consulting - in 2022; can you tell us about the type of clients you are working with?

Based on my model, it won’t surprise you that the majority of my clients are female professionals navigating transition and motherhood. These are typically high-performing professionals from mid-management up to c-suite. It’s really impactful work and because how individualised my specialism is it feels deeply purposeful.

What are some of the issues and opportunities you coach people around?

It really varies but some of the more common themes are confidence, communication, ways of working, prioritising self, inner critic, performance, emerging identity, control, success, ambition and motherhood.

You have gone on to become accredited with EMCC Global at Practitioner Level. Why was becoming accredited important to you and what value has it brought to your practice?

Investing in accreditation, membership and supervision is an integral part of my work as a trusted and ethical professional in this industry. It’s incredibly important to me to run a business that upholds the highest standards of the executive coaching profession, while offering security and trust to my clients.

It also provides valuable support, accountability and ongoing learning opportunities through the wider coaching community.

Can you share a success story or testimonial from one of your clients that highlights the impact of your coaching?

“Anna has provided incredible coaching over the time we’ve worked together. I came out of every session feeling a renewed sense of confidence in my abilities as she supported me through some particularly challenging times. Her model is pinned to my whiteboard, as a constant reminder of my strong rots that will build my resilience and help me to flourish.” - Natasha

What do you find most rewarding about your work as a coach?

The chance to walk alongside clients, to support and hold space for them at time of challenge but great opportunity. It’s a privilege.

Our deepest thanks to Anna for sharing her personal journey and experience of coach training at the AoEC.