What was the main challenge you had before starting coaching?
Before coaching, I had recently become unemployed and was trying to make sense of what had gone wrong in a previous role. A recent diagnosis of autism was also raising lots of questions around whether this had played a part in workplace misunderstandings and burnout.
I knew I was skilled and capable, I am a detail person, and I care deeply about doing work properly, but I also recognise my perfectionism can be frustrating. I also struggled with negativity, procrastination and overwhelm.
I wanted support to understand my values and boundaries in the context of work and autism, so I could stop drifting into roles that made me unhappy and instead make confident decisions about what would actually suit me.
What has been the biggest benefit you have gained from the coaching?
Clarity around my values, both what I need from a workplace and what I will no longer tolerate. This has been transformative.
Leigh helped me understand my value system, and we used this to contribute to an Access Rider. This became something tangible I could use to help me work out why certain aspects of work life have been challenging in the past and what might help remove these barriers in future roles. It also helped me communicate my needs more clearly, not only in job interviews but also as I worked out which job opportunities were best suited to my way of working. Leigh helped me see that things that I have been told are ‘problems’ can be strengths in the right environment.
I am now in a new job too, which is going well so far.
What did you like most about the coaching relationship?
At first, I was extremely anxious about coaching, but Leigh is very friendly, smiley and honest, and I felt able to relax a little, even in our first session.
Leigh adapted to how my brain works. I know what I am like, reading forms and agreements just switch me off, so when I raised this at the start of coaching, we completed signup forms conversationally – fantastic.
I am prone to going off on tangents, and Leigh is very good at summarising my thoughts so I can move forward without feeling controlled or judged.
For the first time in a long while, I feel able to make career decisions based on who I actually am, not who I think I should be.
If you were to recommend Leigh to a friend, what would you say?
If you are neurodivergent and trying to make sense of work, burnout, boundaries etc. I would absolutely recommend Leigh.
She helped me work out what my triggers are and what to do about them. Her understanding of Autistic Burnout helped me realise I was not overemotional or lazy, just overwhelmed and in need of support and adjustments. She has ‘been there’, and I really believe that shows in her understanding and empathy.