“Skilled…”
“Empathetic…”
“Friendly…”
“Understanding…”
“Honest…”
“Amazing coach…”
We could go on (trust us, it’s really hard not to), but these are just some of the heartfelt words More Happi members have used to describe what it’s like to be coached by Andrew Cooke ACC.
From his corporate career (including rubbing shoulders with David Beckham), to empowering purpose-driven leaders to realise their potential authentically, Andrew’s path from COO to much-loved leadership coach powerfully exemplifies the profound impact of coaching, as well as the many benefits of a squiggly career.
Next up in the Happi Coach Focus series, hear Andrew’s story – from suffering imposter syndrome in his first C-Suite role to the importance of connection in finding your perfect coach (and the myths he is determined to debunk).
Intrigued? Read Andrews’s story and gain insight into what makes him one of our highest-rated coaches of all time, and his approach so successful.
Hi Andrew, let’s kick things off with a spicy topic.
In your experience, what are the most common misconceptions people have about seeking guidance from a life/career coach? How do you debunk them?
The fiction:
❌ It’s a ‘bit fluffy’ and a ‘nice chat about how you’re feeling’.
❌ All coaches are the same.
❌ All coaches are qualified.
❌ The coach will provide the answers.
❌ It’s unaffordable
The facts:
✅ There is empirical evidence that coaching can help support people to perform better in their role and be happier and more satisfied with their life – depending on the outcome they are looking for.
✅ There are coaches that specialise in different forms of coaching and supporting different types of people.
✅ Coaching is an un-regulated business and anyone can set up as a coach so you may want to consider what accreditation the coach has if that is important to you.
✅ The coach will support you to find the answers. You will get out from coaching what you are prepared to put in.
✅ Changing your mindset and outlook can be just as uncomfortable as training your body if not more so. Be prepared to put the work in.
✅ With platforms such as More Happi, coaching is affordable and accessible to an increasing number of people. It isn’t just for senior leaders.
“There is empirical evidence that coaching can help support people to perform better in their role and be happier and more satisfied with their life…”
We couldn’t agree more! Far from being fluffy, coaching has been proven to increase neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change) and resilience. Perhaps this is why it is so transformational for untangling knotty thoughts and ideas…
Speaking of ideas, can you share a memorable lesson, tool, or insight you’ve gained from your coaching journey that has had a lasting impact on you and your growth?
That we can choose how we respond to our thoughts.
That’s such a powerful realisation, thank you.
Due to the inaccessibility of coaching, many More Happi members have never experienced it. How would you describe coaching to someone unfamiliar with the process?
At its simplest, it is a conversation between equals where the coach helps the client/thinker get new insights into the topics they want to discuss to help them move forward. However, the conversation is like no other, as the coach is there at the service of the thinker to gain new insights, which can be transformational. Words can’t do it justice, it really needs to be experienced.
What advice would you give someone considering working with a coach for the first time?
- Have conversations with a number of coaches to work out who will support you best.
- There needs to be connection on both sides. Work out what style of coach you want, if you want them to be challenging, playful, structured etc.
- Recognise that to get the most out of it, you need to put in the hard work. Be ready for it to be uncomfortable if you truly want to change.
- The coach is there to facilitate your thinking not to do it for you.
“Recognise that to get the most out of it, you need to put in the hard work. Be ready for it to be uncomfortable if you truly want to change.”
When you’re coaching with More Happi, what would you say are the top 3 most common coaching topics you coach on?
- Career development.
- Leadership.
- Confidence.
That’s an interesting selection, and I can see why they’d be so popular. You don’t have to be in a leadership position to strive to be a better leader.
On the topic of More Happi, what has it meant for you to be able to coach with us?
It is a privilege to be a coach for More Happi. I wouldn’t have had the ability to coach such a wide variety of individuals at different stages of their careers in such a wide range of businesses without it. It has definitely made me a better coach and I’ve had great support and camaraderie from other More Happi coaches.
The More Happi coach community is a phenomenally supportive space for any coach – no matter what stage in their coaching journey (shoutout to Karen Anderson!).
If you’re comfortable, can you share a client success story that resonates with you the most?
Helping a CEO/Founder to determine a plan of action to pivot their company. This involved difficult decisions and choices, whilst also ensuring that they protected their own well-being so that they were able to lead their team through the change programme. They grew as a leader and I grew as a coach.
“They grew as a leader and I grew as a coach.”
“They grew as a leader and I grew as a coach.” What a beautiful reflection!
Tell us, Using 3 words or less, how might someone feel after coaching with you?
Seen, heard, changed.
What would you say sets your coaching style apart from others in the field?
I suffered from imposter syndrome early in my career, which worsened each time I was promoted. By the time I took on my first C-suite role, I knew I needed help. I had lost all sense of perspective, wasn’t sleeping and it was having a negative impact on my mental health and my family were beginning to suffer as well. Coaching was transformative for me and it was therefore a natural transition for me to become a coach for the next stage of my career. I am therefore able to relate to others who may see themselves as reluctant leaders, to help them fully realise their leadership potential by being more themselves, more human and more authentic.
With this in mind, what key values do you prioritise in your coaching practice?
Authenticity, Integrity, Curiosity, Equality.
As a coach, I’m sure you’ll agree on the importance of continued learning and development. How do you like to stay updated on the latest trends and insights in coaching to ensure your clients receive the relevant tools to drive them forward?
I’m a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) who provide useful resources for my professional development. I also love reading books about coaching and self-development as well as listening to a wide range of podcasts – favourites include Claire Pedrick’s The Coaching Inn and Gary Crotaz’s The Unlock Moment.
Do you have a personal mantra, quote or philosophy that guides you and/or your coaching practice?
I love T.S. Eliot’s quote from his poem Little Gidding “What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” This quote was my mantra when I walked the 500 miles of the Camino de Santiago last year, to remind me to focus on the journey rather than the destination. And that there is something new at every stage of the journey. I love it from a coaching perspective, because of how it gives the sense of endings being the start of something new. As at the end of some coaching when the thinker is able to start a new journey with a new outlook.
If you have one, can you name a coach that has had a big impact on your life?
I need to name four.
- My first coach, Stephen Rayment, who helped unlock my potential as a leader and inspired me to be a coach.
- Nick Thorpe who helped me manage my transition from a corporate career to becoming a coach.
- Claire Pedrick MCC and Ruth Bennett PCC at 3D Coaching Ltd. Claire’s philosophy and book Simplifying Coaching coupled with mentor coaching from Ruth changed my whole approach and outlook on coaching.
Sounds like a wonderfully inspiring group of humans. We’ll be adding Claire’s book to our reading list for sure!
We’re at the end of your time together, so let’s finish with a fun question. Outside of coaching, what’s a fun fact that not many people know about you?
I had many adventures and pinch me moments in my corporate career promoting London. Being involved in the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics was amazing – attending dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony and possibly the most bizarre moment was being in a line-up between Boris Johnson and David Beckham.
Lastly, do you have a word of the year?
Connection.
Thank you, Andrew.
🔥 What burning question do you have for our coaches? Let us know and we’ll include it in our next feature.
#LifeCoaching #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipCoaching #ImposterSyndrome #CoachingCommunity #MoreHappiCoachCommunity
Who are the More Happi coaches?
Our qualified coaches have trained with the top International Coaching Federation, EMCC UK and Association for Coaching (AC) accredited schools. After the 4-part recruitment process, they are continuously verified by More Happi to ensure high quality, and receive further monthly training and supervision from experts in the field.
More Happi enables qualified, professional volunteer coaches to rapidly achieve further ICF credentials, enabling them to achieve their own career goals in half the time.
With over 100 available coaches, covering 15+ specialist skill sets, you can work with the same coach continuously or move around and try different styles to see what works for you. You’re in control.
It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Discover your perfect coach at https://app.morehappi.com/coaches
