Testimonials
Hear from a few people I've worked with about their experience of my executive coaching... more recommendations here
Lily Nicholls
Senior Machine Learning Engineer,
Datatonic
"Having struggled with being perceived as not confident enough in the workplace, I began coaching sessions with Steve to help to progress my career and have better relationships at work. Steve is a great listener, kind and warm to talk to and expertly guided me during reflection and self awareness. Steve helped me to identify my natural skills and behaviours, and then how best to use these to my advantage to reach my personal goals. This method of coaching felt really authentic because it encouraged me to lean into my natural abilities, and appreciated my individuality."
"Steve has a natural coaching style that enables him to get the best out of the people who work with him. He also has a very good sense for what areas people need to work on and an ability to identify and help them use their strengths as well."
Jamie Peacock MBE
Ex-England Rugby League Captain
& Leadership Coach
"Having worked with Steve for several years, I can confidently say Steve is a truly empathic leader who enables people to achieve their goals and perform at their best. I have seen Steve's unique combination of coaching and active listening skills to empower professionals at different stages of their careers, build consensus and facilitate decision making. This skillset has proven particularly valuable in complex industries such as tech, where unlocking soft skills is too often a barrier."
Alvaro Silva-Santisteban
AI Solution Lead,
MD, Encourager Coaching
Steve Thompson
Steve has been coaching professionally for 10 years, including 5 1/2 years as Global People Director for a Google-partnered Data & AI Consultancy. He has worked in people-orientated roles for most of his 25 year career and now leads the vast majority of coaching assignments for Encourager Coaching.
His philosophy centres around creating an empowering environment and leveraging individual and team strengths to achieve lasting results, combining person-centered coaching with positive psychology.
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Steve's qualified in HR management and has completed a Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching as well as Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Coaching for Behavioural Change with a specialised emphasis on Psychology and Neuroscience at Henley Business School. The advanced program provided him with in-depth insights into the scientific foundations of human behaviour, exploring how psychological principles and neurological research can inform effective coaching strategies and personal development interventions. He's been a certified Gallup Strengths Coach since 2016, Predictive Index (PI) Practitioner since 2017 and TalentPredix Practitioner since 2024.
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You can read more about Steve's journey in leadership and coaching here.