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Ben Houghton

Hello I am Ben...

Not long ago, one of my coaching clients caught me out. There I was listening intently to what she was saying only for her to pick me up on something I had said. We were talking about what we did for a living and apparently I said "When I left work 3 years ago..." She stopped me and said "So what do you do now, if you left work 3 years ago?" Mmmm... Busted.

My individual coaching methodology is focussed on giving people flexibility in how they think and feel about themselves so they can go on to behave how they want to. In my experience they can then deliver whatever they want to, personally and professionally.

I was introduced to Ben at a time when I felt I was at a dead end in my life and almost daily there would some event that would have me in an emotional state. Our first sessions of coaching were a little off the wall, where I could see no connection but they would be the foundation for a series of coping mechanism to get through the day / week. Building up to a sense of wellbeing, which meant I was able to sleep more than 3 hours a night.

Through the coaching I learnt how to recognise the things that were important to me and make my own choices again (respecting other peoples opinions but ultimately doing what was right for me) and claim my life back.

I have gone from someone whose entire identity was wrapped up in "career", to spending the last year just allowing it to be a job. I have rediscovered my creativity through different outlets and built a life I love around it, I have found my esteem in the things I love like drawing, pottery, art, friendship, and just being present in the moment.

HC - Management Consultant. London

My commercial and personal development experience in delivering change in organisations, groups and with individuals provides a sense of reality to my coaching. The ability to coach people on the consequences of their actions in these real contexts is vital in making the behavioural change we work toward effective and sustainable.

I’ve known Ben Houghton as a coach and as a course leader. His relaxed and unassuming style works magnificently in both contexts. Ben possesses that rare quality which enables him to be challenging and thought provoking without being confrontational – a true change agent.

TK, Director, Barclays Bank.

Whatever level you effect change at, it remains esoteric and ineffective if it is not supported with practical skills. The behavioural flexibility to deliver what you want does not magically appear it, needs techniques and practice.

I subscribe to the saying "If you know what you do, then you can do what you want". I use a range of proven tools to bring into people’s awareness what drives them at a deeper level. This in turn leads to more fundamental, immediate and long lasting change from within.

Ben demonstrates incredible insight and intuition in his coaching. He has a warming sense of humour, is very centred and exceptionally self-aware. His sessions are full of an air of calm which supports a stillness in thought that allows the "waves to part" to unveil the simplicity of a dilemma/issue

CD Learning Manager FTSE 100 Accountancy Practice

On a personal level, I take a fairly holistic approach to life. I have an early morning ashtanga yoga habit, 6 days a week and take a great interest in nutrition (this includes occasionally steering Daryll away from establishments that sell food in "buckets").

I share my time between working and travelling which takes me away for the odd month during the year.

To conclude... someone far cleverer than me once said "Know thyself". This can be scary at times. I work on the basis that self-awareness, and doing something with it, is the key to a happy life at work and play; and everyone deserves a crack at that.

I had three sessions with Ben as I have always suffered with a lack of confidence in myself as a person when under pressure or when presenting whatever the scale. The lack of confidence manifested itself at work and at home. I would have panic attacks that I would not know the answers,imagine that I will be lost for words, think other people would judge me and generally work myself up so that I became a nervous wreck. This has resulted in me never pushing myself forward, doing all of the work in the background , watching other people excel through the work I have done and I was starting to make my children feel the same way by not wanting to go out locally and pushing my 'silliness' onto them

I was sceptical about coaching as I have had some experiences in the past that have not really made a difference but really felt comfortable with Ben, he was non judgmental, a good listener and structured the sessions to focus on me - it did not feel like he had a prepared a standard format from a text book

The sessions with Ben gave me the thinking time to really focus on me and to address 'my silliness' ,some deeper set issues. and focus on using the nerves in a positive way, ensuring that I prepare fully using some of the tactics that Ben has passed to me. I now quite enjoy the buzz

Honestly I feel different, I am still me with all of the attributes that people like and respect but have a new found confidence and way of dealing with situations - which others have noticed.

Programme Manager FTSE 100 Company.

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