FAQs
What is Coaching?
Coaching is a form of development designed for individuals who are ready to work towards a specific goal or make a positive change in their life. Our coaching sessions take place over 3 months and offers to support you on your journey as you make changes and new decisions to help improve your current career, life goals or well-being.
Who can apply for 1-1 Coaching?
This programme is designed to help support ‘Emerging Leaders’ within minority groups, who might not yet be in a Leadership position yet but want to explore their potential.
Open to anyone currently working in Games who is keen to work towards a specific goal. This can include things like career pathways, life progression or health and wellbeing goals. We advise you to be clear about the impact you would like to make on your registration form.
Who can apply for Executive Coaching?
This package is for those working in the Games Industry who are currently managing or responsible for other people in their line of work (CSuite, Directors, Leads, Senior Managers or ‘Change Makers’)
Executive Coaching Clients are usually looking to work on specific goals to improve your workplace, Management or Environment of those around you.
Some examples of themes you might like to explore (but we encourage you to set your own!):
Difficulties with organisation politics and processes
Setting up internal support systems for your employees
Making a specific impactful change to your workplace
Developing more confidence in your Leadership skills
I am not currently in a leadership position but I want to be - Can I apply for Executive Coaching?
No, Executive Coaching is very much for those currently working in a Leadership role. The changes we will work together on will be centred around being actively applied in a workplace setting.
If you work in the games industry but not in Leadership, then it would be advisable to sign up for the Regular 1-1 Coaching sessions and we could potentially use that to work towards attaining your Leadership goals.
Is it really free?
Yes! Thanks to our Partners who sponsor the Games Leadership Network we are able to offer you 5 sessions of 1-1 Executive Coaching or 1-1 Coaching for free!
Is it like Counselling/Therapy?
Whilst there can be some similarities between Coaching and Counselling, it’s important to note that these often have very different focus points when working with a client. Coaching tends to focus on taking action towards making a positive change in your future whereas Counselling will often focus more on your past to help bring understanding to who you are now.
Coaching can assist positively in improving your confidence, goal setting and navigating workplace politics, but it should not be used as a replacement for active mental health treatment and support under a qualified Mental Health Practitioner.
The best time for coaching is when you have already actively put in work to better understand yourself so that we can help support the changes you want to make to improve your life.
I’m not in the UK, will that be a problem?
We are currently open for anyone to join us from anywhere in the world. Our only warning is that Coaching sessions will take place during normal UK office hours 09:00-17:00 GMT and will be subject to availability on our booking system, so you will need to be comfortable attending your session at the allocated time.
What do I need to do?
Fill in the form here
We will be in touch if we are able to offer you a place on the next programme intake
You will sign up for your sessions and choose a time from our calendar that suits you (we recommend bi-weekly sessions across 3 months)
What is my commitment?
You are committing to 5 x 45 Minute bi-weekly sessions over the course of 3 months and attended online via Zoom.
We ask that you book your sessions as you would any other appointment - at a time that you are confident you can attend. There is a 24 hour notice period for if you are unable to attend
We ask that you attend all 5 Sessions. If you can't commit to the full 5 sessions then please do not sign up as it stops someone else from taking part in the opportunity.
You will be asked to fill in Two Surveys: One before your course starts and one after.
You will also be asked to sign a Client/Coach Contract that sets out your confidentiality agreement and expected behaviour for these sessions.
Sessions are completely confidential (subject to certain exemptions as stated below) - we will not disclose your participation on the programme unless we have your permission to.
We will be surveying you both before and after your 3 month programme with us and are always keen to hear about any achievements or success you have in the future too!
The Coach will:
Maintain throughout the level of confidentiality which is appropriate and is agreed at the start of the relationship.
Disclose information only where explicitly agreed with the client and sponsor (where one exists), unless the coach/mentor believes that there is convincing evidence of serious danger to the client or others if the information is withheld.
Act within applicable law and not encourage, assist or collude with others engaged in conduct which is dishonest, unlawful, unprofessional or discriminatory.
Will you tell my employer I’m having coaching?
No! Anything said in your 5 sessions is treated as completely confidential (subject to certain exemptions as stated previously). We will not disclose your participation on the programme unless we have your permission to.
You are welcome to tell your employer yourself that you are taking part in the programme and we are always happy to answer any questions they might have regarding coaching in general.
Who will be my coach?
As we are currently in our preliminary stage as an organisation, all free coaching sessions will be conducted by Melissa Phillips BSc. Melissa is an Executive Coach, specialising in Leadership, Management and Personal Development.
Melisa studied Psychology (BSC) Music (BMus) and Musicology (MA). Her specialist subject for her dissertation topics focused on Emotion. She is an experienced coach and consultant and regularly attends accredited CPD sessions for her own personal development and improvement - including Coaching from her peers!
Melissa has worked 9 years in the Games Industry. Her career has seen her work both in the Charity sector as Games Programme Manager of BAFTA Games and involved in direct developments as Head of Studio and Operations Director. She currently offers Operational Freelance Services via her agency at www.melissaphillips.co.uk
Can I change coach?
Whilst we currently only have one full-time coach available if you feel like it is not working out we will absolutely do our best to find you a replacement. We also have a male coach available, but you will need to make this request before we assign your sessions.
How will my data be handled?
You can view our GDPR and Privacy Policy here.
I am interested in Partnerships or Sponsoring The Games Leadership Network!
Amazing! You can send us an email at info@gamesleadership.com