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Welcome to Paul Abbott Coaching
If you’re a senior fundraiser, looking to overcome barriers and make positive progress in your career, you’re in the right place.
Similarly, if you’re walking a lonely path through the not-for-profit or commercial world, or feel overwhelmed by roadblocks or challenges, I can help you gain perspective, feel more empowered, and find your way forward.
In short, if you’re stuck, I’ll unstick you.
Kindly and effectively. And it could prove transformative.
All sessions are delivered remotely (but warmly) via Zoom
Meet Paul Abbott
Before I was a coach, I worked as a Director of Fundraising for almost 20 years, so I understand the sector and its unique pressures and responsibilities. For example, that a fundraiser is ‘only as good as their last month’ (or year) and that consequences of underperforming can be catastrophic.
Over the years I’ve successfully coached and mentored a lot of fundraisers, as well as CEOs and HR professionals from both the non-profit and commercial world. Many have told me it changed their life. That I helped to bring clarity and a better perspective. And that crucially, they knew what they had to do next.
It was this feedback that encouraged me to retrain and become a full-time career coach.
Not that I regret my years in fundraising. It allowed me to work with some of the biggest names in the UK music, film and TV industry and to raise several million pounds for excellent causes, from HIV support to cancer research.
However, I have never believed more strongly that ‘this is what I should be doing’. And I’d love to help you feel the same.
My approach
Coaching can be challenging. That’s why I bring empathy and kindness to the process.
I can help you to overcome barriers such as self-doubt and feeling like an imposter; to see the bigger picture and find a way forward; and to become a great line manager and get the best from your people.
And if you’re unsure what the ‘problem’ is, I will gently tease it out of you.
Some people have called this my superpower; that ability to sense where the issue is and to softly nudge an individual in the right direction, so they can identify it for themselves.
For fundraisers, there’s the added bonus of over 40 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector (almost 20 at Director level). This means I can pass on essential skills such as budgeting, forecasting, monitoring, and communicating complex information in a way that makes it accessible and engaging. Others may find this useful too.
Overall, my aim is to leave you re-enthused about whatever it is you are passionate about. And able to make better progress towards your goals.
Testimonials
‘My coaching sessions with Paul have been transformative for my working life. Finding a safe space to explore, discuss and connect has been invaluable. He has an uncanny ability to understand the heart of an issue quickly and empathically. I leave our sessions with renewed purpose and clarity.’
Heather Wren, Behaviour Development Manager, Dogs Trust
‘ Having worked with Paul in a previous role, it felt natural to reach out to him when struggling to make headway on several fundraising projects in my current organisation. Paul is a caring and insightful leader who understands how to build high-performing teams, motivate an organisation to become ‘fundraising ready’, drive the development of compelling fundraising propositions and initiatives, and navigate the professional obstacles that too often stand in the way of achieving results. I’m grateful for Paul’s counsel and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him as a mentor and coach. ’
Harrison Leonard, Director of External Relations, Diocese of Bristol
‘I was resistant to the whole idea of coaching, but I knew I needed external support to help me ‘get out of my own way’ in certain areas. Paul enabled me to kick out the blocks from beneath my wheels and to make swift and tangible progress. He was kind, professional, empathetic, warm, and on my side. Having dreaded it, I ended up not just enjoying coaching but advocating for it as I could not recommend Paul more highly.’
Lisa Pember, Fundraising consultant and copywriter, Eyes Wide Open Ltd
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Paul Abbott Coaching
