How open to challenge and change are you?

There I was, on the banks of the Thames, a tingle of anticipation, walking into Henley Business School asking myself, “what am I doing here?”...

A new qualification

In November 2025, I decided to add the "Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching" to my coaching qualifications. A nine-month hybrid course combining three long weekends at Henley Business School, the balance online, self-study and practice. The qualification assessed by a 2,500 written assignment and a 30 minute recording - I await the results as we speak!

The onboarding for the course surprised me. Forgetting that Henley Business School is part of the University of Reading I hadn’t factored in spending upwards of three hours watching compulsory training videos around safe-guarding, consent, bias and abuse. My cohort were mature, part time students, kept well away from the ‘normal’ student population, why did we need this? But, once I got over my huffiness, they were an informative watch. A vivid lesson in change, so different to the early 80s when, as a wide eyed just nineteen year old, I started nursing, but I digress.

The gold

The course was led by three very experienced lecturers, who also happened to be coaches and authors. Two men, one woman. All masters in their own fields. Each bringing something different to our learning.

I devoured the new knowledge. But the unexpected gold were the other students.

The course kicked off with us each introducing ourselves to the group. The only rule, no mention of profession or job title. An omission that allowed us to see each other as fellow humans, not roles or status.

Twenty-seven of us. Ages ranging from late thirties to early sixties. A good balance of women and men. A variety of backgrounds, careers, seniority and success. All with a voracious appetite to learn and grow, most whilst juggling full time careers, children and family life. The benefits of a self-selecting group.

Stepping out

Coaching practice in front of and within the group asked for openness and vulnerability. We each took our turn. Tough, emotional and very private stories were shared, all in the spirit of learning and experience. Our role when observing was not to dwell on what the ‘coachee’ was saying (tempting because my goodness that was raw at times) but on how the coach responded. A masterclass in gentle yet firm enquiry, encouragement, challenge, silence and reflection.

The mutual trust, caring and support was high. We were there with a shared ambition - to learn, to practice and to be challenged to become the best coaches possible. All in service of helping others.

I stepped outside of my familiar environment. I saw the world through a new professional lens. I also noticed the many cross overs to financial planning from a client relationship, values and ethics perspective.

You

We often talk about being lifelong learners. The benefits of continued growth. Learning new skills. Its protection against a shrinking world view. Not to mention its cognitive and neuroplasticity benefits against the effects of ageing. I know I've been energised by the new insights and the feeling of stretch the course has given me.

I was chatting about this with a financial planning business owner over a Dishoom brunch the other day. He posed a question, which I’d like to pose to you:

How open are we really to challenge and change? Or do we stick with what we know hidden safely behind our carefully constructed barriers and excuses?

Deep!

How would you answer this question?

If you'd like to explore your openness to change and challenge, get in touch and lets explore what you need and how I can help. What are you waiting for?