Spotlight: Redlaw interviews...Dr Claire Kaye, Executive Career Coach

Claire began her career as a Portfolio GP working in this field for over 15 years. She now runs her own executive coaching business specialising in career development. As we start to negotiate our way back to our 'new normal' and the return to the office environment, how should we tackle insecurities, mindset, and how can we thrive upon our return? This is just one of the questions we put to Claire in this interview.

Claire, why did you make the move from being a Portfolio GP into establishing your own executive coaching business? Was there a specific deciding moment that pushed you to make the change?

I have always had a varied and diverse career as I realised soon after I qualified as doctor, that I find variety in my work highly motivating. As a GP, I naturally used coaching techniques and gradually I started to realise that for me this was one of the most satisfying aspects of my job. A pivotal moment was when I was offered a senior role at a regional level with in the NHS. I was thrilled and flattered to have been offered the role, I was about to take it when I started to have doubts. I wasn’t sure what they were but I did know that maybe the new role wasn’t for me. It was at this point that I had some coaching which allowed me to give myself permission to do what I really wanted to do in my work, rather than what was expected. It was such a liberating, if a little scary, feeling. The coaching process gave me the courage to take the plunge and become a full time Executive Coach specialising in career development. People often ask me if I feel that I have failed as I have given up clinical work. The short answer is that I don’t. Instead I feel I have spring boarded my career which means I have used the skills I gained as a doctor, developed them and then used them in a different way.

What does a typical ‘day in the life’ look like for a career coach?

There is no such thing as typical day. Everyday is different which is one of the reasons why I love it so much. I am either coaching individuals or teams, developing and delivering seminars, recording and sharing podcasts, posting on social media, writing articles and blogs and networking with colleagues and clients. There is never dull moment.

Claire, this has been an extremely difficult year for many people. You work with professionals from a wide range of industries. From a career coaching perspective, what have been the main challenges you have supported your clients through as a direct result of the pandemic and lockdowns?

The main challenge has been that many people have suddenly realised they are on a career path that either no longer suits them or they never chose in the first place. A lot of my clients have reflected and reassessed what they want from their career, and indeed their lives, during the last year. They often come to me knowing that they need a change, even if they don’t know what that change is. For some people, it's as simple as changing their mindset so they get more out of what they do. For others it's about making bigger changes.

It’s been a year since we first learned of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we start to negotiate our way through the ‘return to work’ process, many may be tackling insecurities around life back in the office. If you could give just one tip / process /practical step to follow to ensure professionals thrive professionally, what would that be?

Think about your mindset. Mindset is all about how you approach a situation. Changing your thoughts will change how you feel which will, in turn, change your actions. Imagine you are worried about returning to work. If you go back to work thinking; ‘this is so stressful, I don’t know how I am going to get through the day. I bet everyone is so much better at their job than me and has been far more productive in lockdown than me. I can’t even remember how to have a chat over a coffee. This is going to be a disaster’. Then it is likely you will have a difficult transition.

If however, you go back to work thinking; 'OK, this may be a tough few weeks but I will ease myself in gently and I bet lots of other people are feeling the same as me. If I feel worried I will either speak to someone about it or do some breathing techniques to help me. I wonder what else I can put in place that will help me enjoy this transition. I can’t wait to get stuck in again’. This proactive mindset will set you off on a constructive footing and help to make the process of going back to work far more positive.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love connecting with clients. There is nothing more satisfying than when they suddenly realise what they want and how they are going to get it.

What’s your proudest professional moment?

I am lucky enough to say that I have had many. In my clinical work it has been setting up and delivering a nationally recognised frailty service. In my medical education role it has been helping to set and deliver BMJ (British Medical Journal) LIVE which is an international conference which had 5,000 delegates last year from around the world. In my Execeutive coaching role it is being a recognised and trusted brand that delivers a high quality, transformative service.

What’s the best mistake you’ve ever made?

I set up a medical education company in approx. 2005. It was complete disaster. However I learnt more from that that probably any of my successes.

What inspires you?

People. I love learning from people and working with dynamic people who make work feel that anything is possible.

The best gift you’ve ever received is….

A hand made card from my kids. There literally is nothing better.

If you could steal credit for any great piece of art, song, film, book etc which one would you claim?

This is tricky. I am not sure I can answer this as there are too many options! There are so many amazing fictional books that I would love to have written such as Shuggie Bains, Education and Where The Crawdads Sing. However I am not sure this will every be in my skill set! Instead I am happy to just enjoy other people’s incredible talent. The one coaching book I admire immensely is The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. This book is over 30 years old and still has a multitude of excellent concepts which he brings together in a format which is easy to absorb. If you haven’t read it I would thoroughly recommend it.

Follow Claire on Instagram @drclairekaye_executivecoaching for free tips and tricks on how to help your career flourish or check out her website drclairekaye.com.