Career review at a major career crossroads

“I would recommend that anyone who wants to think about who they are and what they want considers personal coaching. It helps you to take a step back with the support of a trained sounding board with many useful tools, and time for you to focus. Without the structure and support of coaching, change may not happen because the busyness of everyday life and work can understandably get in the way. I feel really excited about my future.”

Jane Flaherty, Partner.

Returning to then leaving the law

“I met Rachel at a Law Society Returners course.

I liked her energy and style immediately. She simultaneously completely understood the pressures and realities of working in law and having the identity of someone who does not fit neatly into the university -> law school ->law firm box.

Women who have done many other things, women with families, women who have moved, women who have multiple interests and, dare I say it, talents and competencies, women who want to proactively design a working life that works for them but who are also grounded in the reality of today’s practice.

Not only that, she could work with me from where I was, seeing what I had to offer as something positive, and helping me to embrace that also. In the past, I was often sabotaged by relentless self-doubt, perfectionism and learned negativity. Rachel helped me with infinite patience and encouragement. Lo and behold, the inner dialogue has changed for good, and life is offering wonderful creative professional opportunities also.

As she taught me workable tools to breakdown career planning, confidence issues, researching & applying for opportunities, the process brought great clarity. She gave me confidence that a non-conventional ‘portfolio’ career could actually work. She helped me overcome the mountains of discomfort coming with starting new skills/jobs in my 40s.

I will keep checking in with her for ‘tune-ups’. She has helped me get clear, prioritise and make great internal and external shifts.”

Olivia Streater.

Helping a young lawyer create a career strategy and plan

“Rachel is motivated by helping others and her style is inspiring, supportive and caring. She explains different concepts in simple terms and aims to interact with her clients by placing the onus on themselves, thus allowing them to reach a solution that it is good according to their unique personal needs.

Coaching with Rachel has given me clarity about who I am and what I truly need, practical steps about how to tackle communication and relationship challenges and a clearer strategy regarding my career progression. It has allowed me to learn how to reflect on the past and seek better results in the future.

This experience has been incredibly useful and has given me a better understanding of the world, helped me to take action quicker than if I solely relied on my personal insights and enabled me to realise my potential.”

Sofiya Nikolova.

Returning to the law

“Rachel is a calm and perceptive person who introduces you to your own talent and abilities and then helps you to utilize them to an effective end. And then, when success arrives, Rachel continues to guide and promote you in her own distinct way. She is marvellous and has been a return on my investment a thousand-fold.”

Rachael Williams, Ombudsman, Financial Ombudsman
Service.

Life after managing partner

“Coaching works and Rachel’s got what it takes.”

Peter Cornell, Managing Partner, Clifford Chance
London.

A better fit with values to make a difference

“Rachel helped me through the process of making a change to my career, enabling me to find a more fulfilling role with my current employer. 

I was very confused and daunted at the start of the process and didn’t know how I could make the change but Rachel helped me see how to break this process down and how to test ideas for change against my values.

Rachel is full of great ideas and really helped me see that making a change like this is not as scary as it might first seem. I would recommend her to anyone who wants to change career or direction but doesn’t know how or where to start.”

Nicola F, Senior Associate.

Leaving the law

“I was unhappy with my choice of career and felt enormous pressure from my family to pursue something that just didn’t feel right.

Rachel provided an ideal non-judgmental space and time for me to really think about my needs and what is really important to me.  She also provided incredibly useful tools to focus on the various issues at hand, which helped me to figure things out for myself in a time that would have been unimaginably longer if I hadn’t had them!

I have identified what really mattered to me and coaching has given me the confidence to take the time to figure out what will really work for me and allow me to fulfil my full potential.  For all of that I am forever grateful.”

Valerie Teller, Barrister.

Second career after the law

“Rachel has been coaching me for the last few months fully supporting and encouraging me to move on to new opportunities.

She has been a tower of strength, giving clear and comprehensive tools to identify my skills. She enables her clients to understand their abilities and develop their skills which gives them a powerful direction for their new enterprise. 

She also has an extensive knowledge and understanding of lawyers’ abilities and the possibilities for them in the future job market. She has the unique ability to look ahead for exciting new opportunities while most lawyers will look back at the traditional roles.

During the coaching and even when it is finished, Rachel puts her clients in touch with valuable contacts, makes introductions whenever she can and involves her clients in projects to give them experience and add to their skills. She does everything within her power to make sure her clients succeed.

I highly recommend Rachel for anyone who is stuck in their career or needs to find something new for whatever reason – she is an inspiration.”

Jenny Brewer, Former Senior Partner.

From private practice to in-house

“Coaching with Rachel Brushfield gave me the self-belief and encouragement to achieve my career goal of moving in-house into a broader commercial role. She helped me to proactively find a job that fits my values and motivations, stimulates me intellectually and with a healthy work life balance.

We set a deadline and beat it by 2 weeks. Rachel’s coaching style is insightful, personalised, flexible, positive, structured and creative.”

Clary Maynard, Legal Counsel, WorldRemit.

Freelance lawyering

“I met and chatted with Rachel Brushfield at a Law Society careers event at a time when I was at a major career crossroads. I decided that career coaching support through my transition was a wise decision, chose her as my coach as someone with a lot of experience working with lawyers and specifically specialising in portfolio careers and self-marketing. I am very glad that I did.

I found coaching extremely helpful, receiving expert guidance tailored to your own personal circumstances and with an unbiased objective mind to help guide me to a positive future.

Rachel helped me to create and always keep sight of a career vision and optimistic view of my working life, make plans and hold me accountable to actions to make them happen in reality. I have always been very interested in personal development, and coaching with Rachel helped me to challenge in a practical, beneficial and constructive way to create even greater self-awareness, and to shine a light to identify some new insights on some of the ways in which I stop myself. Deep down reflection with a highly experienced career coach like Rachel is invaluable, especially at a major career crossroads. Her support included: guidance on creating a CV and biog which reflects who I am and about which I feel proud, insight into how to market myself including a verbal business card and networking, and invitations to useful networking events.

Rachel’s coaching style is highly focused on you as an individual, and is practical, intuitive and progressive. I now have confidence to develop my own self-managed portfolio career for the next phase of my working life and feel really excited to maximise career fulfillment and leverage my skills, experience and knowledge to date.”

Evelyn Davies-Jones

Becoming self employed

“I took a giant, but necessary, step when I decided to move away from my secure position as a government lawyer and into a
new life. I was determined to reinvent myself in an entirely new role as an international consultant. I had investigated, as much as I could on my own, what such a transition would entail and how I needed to proceed. However, lacking role models and practical advice, I eventually found myself floundering and without direction.

I was, therefore, extraordinarily fortunate to meet Rachel at a London women lawyers networking event. She was warm, enthusiastic and confidant – and interested in me and my plans! I absolutely feel that my decision to work with her was pivotal for me. Her coaching helped
me on both theoretical and practical levels. She led me to understand more fully why I wanted to move forward and gave me many practical tools to enable me to do so. She was supportive and understanding throughout our relationship.

I would strongly advise anyone who wishes to transition into a different type of career, or to diversify a career, to obtain the help and advice of a professional coach. And I would unreservedly recommend
Rachel Brushfield as that coach.”

Jennifer Button, Consultant – Governance and Justice.

Returning to the law

“I had reached a career crossroads and was unsure what to do moving forward. Career coaching gave me time to concentrate on me, explore what I would like to do and plan how to get there.

As someone who had been out of a mainstream working environment in the UK for over 10 years (as a result of various initiatives in the developing world) and not having practised as a solicitor for over 15 years, having complete clarity about my career moving forward was of paramount importance. I didn’t want to get it wrong.

I met Rachel when she was facilitating a course at a Law Society recharger event and was immediately enthused by her approach. I left the event full of hope for the future and decided to explore and have some coaching with Rachel.

Coaching with Rachel helped me to work out what I wanted to do moving forward and how to go about this. The coaching process and various practical exercises helped me to be focused and specific about what I was looking for. Coaching with Rachel increased my confidence and showed me what I had to offer employers and Rachel helped me to see the position and benefits that employers gain from the many initiatives and projects that I have been involved with.

As part of the coaching process, Rachel completely revamped my CV to a skills-based model which is both impactful and compelling especially with my ‘don’t fit in one neat box’ career to date. Rachel also helped me to polish my personal statement as part of a job application and we did interview practise to help me prepare for interviews.  

The speed of results astounded me. I achieved 2 job offers which met what I was looking for in just 3 months. Rachel’s encouragement and support has been invaluable. Her coaching style is very approachable and down to earth and she always made me feel at ease.

As such I have recommended her to many other people. If anyone is reading this and questioning the value of career coaching and whether it is worth it in the uncertain times in which we live, I would say that my results speak for themselves. Coaching with Rachel has been one of the best investments I have ever made. Further, for any lawyers out there, Rachel really understands lawyers and the quirks of the profession. I would wholeheartedly recommend coaching with Rachel and I intend to continue with coaching to support me as I start my new role. “

Jayne Nicol

Professional support for change

“Coaching provides a reflective space and professional support for considering and making changes, setting goals and planning how to achieve them. Working with Rachel as my coach provided a positive voice about what I was capable of, uncovering insights about what was really important to me and what next in my career and life, and the importance of ongoing learning and embracing new challenges. Coaching helped me to arrange a career sabbatical, and move countries, employers and home, with tools and support along the journey. I now feel happier and more content in myself and have more faith in myself to make big change happen.

Rachel’s coaching style is empathetic,insightful, structured, practical, intuitive, intelligent, supportive, tangible and wise – the opposite of ‘wishy washy’! If you are seeking to make a big change, individual coaching with an experienced coach is invaluable and worth

Nicola.

A successful transition from private practice to music management

“I made the decision to have coaching with Rachel Brushfield because I wanted to find a role with a sense of purpose and make the most of my skills, to feel energised and enthused and proud of what I do, and possibly develop a career with music, having originally trained as a solicitor, but with music a big part of my life and who I am.

Coaching helps you 'step outside your own head', see things in a different way, learn more about yourself, your skills and your values, and have courage to take steps you might otherwise not have dared to take. It challenges you to get really clear about what you really think and feel and then to act on that. Coaching gave me an anchor and constructive process to follow and gave me confidence to try things I might not otherwise have considered or had the courage to do.

I realised that I would be useful in another sector and that I had something to offer that was of value. Coaching with Energise gave me confidence to talk to others about my aspirations and to make useful new connections and proactively gain new experience to 'test the water'.

I now feel more aware of my skills and abilities and open to exploring new possibilities. Coaching gave me the confidence to ask my law firm for a sabbatical and helped me be clear in my mind about what I wanted, including the decision that it was time to resign from my role and pursue a new career path.

The Energise 'career recipe' method has been really useful in evaluating why I might feel unhappy or unsettled in a work situation and what I should look to change for a better fit.

As a coach, Rachel is very supportive and non-critical and asks effective probing questions. The Energise process ensures that you reflect and action what you have discussed in the coaching sessions.

Without coaching, I think it would have taken me a lot longer to make a career change and I wouldn't have had material and knowledge to turn back to for future support.

In my new career path, I definitely feel the direct impact of the work that I am doing, and am really glad that I took the decision in creating the right future for myself.”

Lydia Brookes

Invaluable time to think and refocus

“Coaching provides the opportunity to pause and think about where you are, why and what can happen in future and enabled me to carve out time to focus on me and my career.

Rachel is an excellent listener and sounding board. She made me think by posing hard questions which enabled me to consider many aspects of my working life from a different perspective. To let go of old perceptions and free up space for new ideas. She provides plenty of reading material, references and exercises. Accountability to complete actions and the space and time to reflect in between coaching sessions, was invaluable. Coaching is ideal for exploring barriers and beliefs that stand in the way of change and helps to increase your self-awareness and confidence. As a metaphor, coaching with Rachel was like a ‘shot of adrenalin’. 

Rachel creates an atmosphere of trust easily. She is not afraid to push back and explore areas which initially feel uncomfortable, but which need exploring to create positive ‘shifts’. She held me to task and the wide- ranging discussion and thoughts that it enabled were very valuable to me. It was evident from the outset that she really understands the legal profession and solicitors.

I now have more clarity about my future leadership roles and new S.M.A.R.T. goals – which play to my strengths and values/motivations.

The monthly coaching was useful, so I initiated further quarterly coaching sessions to build on the momentum gained.

My only regret …. that I hadn’t done coaching earlier in my career.”

Sarah Anticoni, Partner, Charles Russell Speechlys

Transformative and empowering career coaching

My experience of coaching with Rachel has been nothing short of transformative. It has been one of the best and most invaluable investments that I have made in myself and my career, and I highly recommend Rachel’s services. 

When I first contacted Rachel, I had been unhappy in my current job for a long time. I knew that I needed a change, but I didn’t know what I wanted, and I didn’t even know how to figure out what I wanted. My mind was a mess of thoughts and ideas, and I didn’t know where to start to try and organise them. 

However, being coached by Rachel motivated me to dedicate time and effort to thinking about what’s important to me, and then to tackling the process of discovering what I really want. Rachel’s coaching helped me to see how I could translate both my career and life experience into an amazing CV, and gave me confidence in my own skills and my ability to make myself a competitive candidate in a challenging market. 

But what I have gained from Rachel’s excellent coaching is far deeper than just rewriting my CV or learning how to better market myself and my skills. Rachel’s insightful guidance and thoughtful advice has helped me uncover what I value most in my life and my career. She has helped me understand how the career and life experiences I have tie in with my unique interpersonal qualities, and how I can translate that into bringing value – both to myself in taking charge of my own career development, and to any future employers. 

The personal confidence and empowerment that I have gained from my coaching with Rachel are priceless.” 

Hilary West. 

Clarity giving career coaching that helps you stay true to you

“A great coach uses effective strategies and tools to help you think differently and achieve clarity of purpose whilst still staying true to you. I sought Rachel's support at a time of great change for me.  She critically challenged me to think not just about what I wanted to achieve in my new role, but what I really wanted to achieve.  Whilst I had to do all the work, her skilful guidance ensured that I had a clear, achievable and focussed plan that lined up with my vision. I remain immensely grateful for her support”. 

Dawn Brathwaite.  

Incredible ideas and a tremendous help

“I thoroughly enjoyed working with Rachel at Energise and would highly recommend her to anyone who is unhappy in their work life and would like a change. Rachel is very knowledgeable and creative. She will give you incredible ideas that you would never have thought of and help you understand your values, motivations and purpose. Thank you – you’ve been a tremendous help!” 

SW. 

Stands Rachel apart from other coaches

“I worked with Rachel during 2021 and 2022 when I was contemplating a career change and needed support. Rachel really helped guide me in thinking back to basics about what my true values were and what I was looking for, forcing me to think wider than the confines of my current career. She has some insightful exercises to help delve into these areas and really tailors her style of coaching to best suit the individual so they get the most out of the sessions.

Although our formal sessions have stopped, Rachel continues to be a support and keeps in touch with ideas and suggestions and is always there to connect me to people she thinks would be of help. This is a valued trait and one which I think really stands Rachel apart from other coaches.

I would recommend Rachel to anyone, especially within the legal sphere, that is contemplating a career change or is looking to reassess their current career path.”

Claire Shasha

Totally aligns with vision you helped me craft

“Rachel, you put me on this road 6 years ago. This is what my CV said: ‘Seeking a senior in-house multi-faceted role with an international visionary organisation with a diverse employee mix and need for employee relations expertise to safely navigate growth and continual performance improvement and engagement through uncertain times.’ Rachel, a million thanks. Those career coaching sessions with you back in 2016 and here I am now in 2022, about to embark on a role that aligns totally with the vision you helped me craft. It gives me goosebumps! I am so excited to be given an opportunity to immerse myself into something new.”

Lara Keenan.

Enabling, inclusive, empowering and liberating

“Coaching was absolutely instrumental in achieving change - I have achieved all the goals set and agreed at the outset. Coaching gave me space to think and focus on what is possible and to make things change/happen. I now have more time with family and friends, for interests and am taking time off work. Rachel’s style of coaching is enabling, inclusive, empowering and liberating.”

Private client team leader.

Thinks ‘outside the box’

“I met Rachel at a Law Society event and chose her as my career coach because of her extensive experience with both solicitors and returners, and depth of expertise as an established career coach and published author.

She was part of my success strategy to return to the law as a mature returner after a long career break to focus on bringing up my two children.

At my next major career crossroads when I was ready to leave private practice for a better work life balance and a different role that played to my strengths, I again chose Rachel as my career coach.

Rachel is very supportive, flexible, insightful and thinks ‘outside the box’ sharing career ideas that you simply would not think about/know about yourself. I really feel that she ‘gets’ me and genuinely cares about helping me to find the right fulfilling role.

Once again, I made a successful career move with her support, and saved a lot of time and energy only applying for roles that fitted my brief.

Coaching is an unregulated market, and it is important to choose a coach who is right for you, knows your market and who has experience of your type of career crossroads. Rachel absolutely does.“

Claire Mohan

Really made me think

“Rachel is a dedicated and skilled career coach.

She is friendly, empathetic and considerate and really enters into your thinking. At the same time Rachel is determined and keeps one on course.

Rachel really made me think about where I was in my career, what was important to me, and what I wanted to achieve. She helped me to understand that the role I thought I wanted would probably make me unhappy. Thanks to Rachel I accepted an interview I might otherwise have turned down and have been offered a tenancy in chambers.

If you want someone who will absolutely be on your side but will also make you do the work, and truly think about who you are, what you want and how to achieve it, then you need Rachel.”

Amelie Smith, Direct access barrister.

Added much to my thought processes

“Rachel has supported me with career coaching on a number of occasions over my career. She has great listening skills and her insight has always added much to my thought processes. I would highly recommend her to anyone at a career crossroads.”

Nicola Wallbank, Partner, Freeths. 

An outstanding coach

“Rachel is an outstanding coach and her style and skills have been instrumental in helping me close one chapter and move to a new chapter in my career.

At the outset, Rachel helped me to set a clear structure, direction and objective. Then, she took me slightly out of my comfort zone with a range of exercises and tasks that initially I couldn't quite understand their relevance. But from the very beginning, I trusted Rachel completely and so went with it. Now I look back and can see how much those exercises have been invaluable and instrumental in helping me to achieve my goal.

Rachel's calmness, creativity and thoughtfulness are second to none. I would recommend Rachel as a career coach to anyone who's at a crossroads and looking for someone who can help them to clarify what's important, what's not important and to identify the day-to-day steps that will lead them to reaching their ultimate goal.”

SJ.