Mia Kennedy
How did Mia become a coach? After being promoted into a big important job and receiving coaching, she thought – ‘man, this is helpful’. And then – ‘this is the job I was made to do’. Here, she shares how her career change has impacted her life – and the lives of her clients.
After doing my proper job for a few years after my promotion, I decided to quit and re-design myself as a coach. My husband thought I was mad but, for me, it meant I could do what I love, have more control over my time, and be with my little ones as they grew up.
Over the years, I’ve worked with people who are open to finding and trying new ways. My clients value my ability to cut through complexity to reach clarity, being incisive and empathetic, and for helping others – and myself – to be more resourceful.
My favourite piece of client feedback has to be:
“Mia is the Harry Potter of coaching: sensitive, tenacious and inspiring in equal measure. A great teacher for muggles and wizards alike.”
I love to ask clients ‘what’s missing?’. That’s guaranteed to bring a unique perspective and insight.
Outside of coaching, I am a sport fanatic! Whether that’s walking or ski touring, tennis, squash or windsurfing, lifting weights, table tennis or yoga. I’m also a big fan of dark chocolate, doing the Killer (tricky Sudoku) and cryptic crosswords, Belgian beer, meditation and spending time with my husband and grown up children.
I am an advocate for race equality, participating in an Oxford University mentoring initiative to support members of the BAME community who want to get into national politics.
Certifications and qualifications
- Highly experienced in Myers Briggs
- MBTI Step I and Step II qualified
- Trained to use MBTI with teams
- Member of the OPP experts network
- Accredited to administer the MSCEIT (emotional intelligence test), TKI (conflict management), FIRO (interpersonal needs and behaviours) and trained to use FIRO with teams
- NLP hypnotist
- Graduate of Oxford University and of Corporate Coach University
Our Coaches
Our diverse team is united by the values that underpin positive psychology. We’ve worked alongside each other for many years, drawing on a wealth of industry experience, skills, compassion and strength.
Together, we are committed to coaching leaders to realise their full potential. In the first instance, you will have an initial matching call with our Founder and CEO Fiona Parashar, who will determine you coaching needs – and the right coach for you.
Fiona Parashar
Fiona set up Leadership Coaching in 2000, driven to use her corporate experience and academic background to make a positive difference to leaders, executives and women in business. Here, she shares her coaching journey, her favourite type of client, and even a few of her guilty pleasures...
Learn More
Sue Hartley
A child is walking along a beach. She sees a star fish washed up on the shore, picks it up, throws it back into the sea and says “I made a difference to that one”.
Making a positive difference, albeit on an individual basis, is what inspired Sue to become a coach. Here, she shares more about her work and approach…
Dr. Lucy Ryan
Twenty-five years ago, when she was still acting and singing, Lucy suffered from acute stage fright. A coach saved her, guiding her through the fear. It left her intrigued to learn more and marked the start of a long journey into coaching that still inspires her today
Learn More
Jackee Holder
An interaction with a brilliant coach in her early career was what set Jackee Holder on her journey to becoming a coach. The mix of questions, and the quality of her listening and presence took her breath away. She realised she wanted to be that person for others. Here, she shares her own coaching path
Learn More
Sharon Charlton-Thomson
If you feel ready to work at depth, Sharon may be the coach for you. Sharon is a Coach/Therapist and has worn both hats for 25 years. She helps clients who want to explore and reshape their leadership ready to meet the challenges of today’s transforming world.
Learn More
Ruth Rochelle
“She doesn’t judge or tell you what the answer should be, but she opens up your mind to the range of possibilities”. This wonderful feedback gives just a glimpse into Ruth’s coaching style. Here, she shares what got her into coaching, and her favourite client to work with.
Learn More
Sandra Visser
Sandra worked as one of my closest associates for about a decade before moving to Boulder, Colorado. Now she travels back a few times a year to deliver the Coaching Intensive training with me. She also offers Vision Days for the lucky few who can catch her whilst she is in the UK.
Learn More
Jim Godfrey
“There’s no point beating about the bush!” This informal but direct approach pretty much sums up Jim’s’s style of coaching. And it’s a tack appreciated by clients who want to shake things up. Here, he shares what he loves about coaching…
