Coach rather than advise
Ask powerful questions that unlock thinking.
Programme Prospectus
Leadership Coach Academy
Developing the next generation of confident and compassionate Leadership Coaches
Learn to coach leaders with confidence, compassion and credibility.
Develop the mindset, skills and presence to help leaders think more clearly, lead more effectively and create workplaces where people can thrive.
Explore the founding cohort
6 monthsDevelopment journey12 live sessionsTwo hours, online, fortnightly£995 + VATFounding cohort investmentNovember 2026Expected first-cohort start
Created by Steve Robertson, former Prison Governor, Cambridge graduate and founder of EmpathyWorks Leadership Consultancy.
Why the Leadership Coach Academy Exists
Leadership has never been more demanding.
Leaders are expected to make difficult decisions, support people through uncertainty and create cultures in which people can perform and thrive.
Too often, leadership development offers models and answers rather than the space to think.
The Leadership Coach Academy develops coaches who can listen deeply, ask powerful questions and help leaders see their challenges with greater clarity.
Grounded in real leadership experience, the programme combines reflective practice with practical coaching skills.
Participants learn to build trust, create psychological safety and hold conversations that strengthen confidence, compassion and accountability.
Because better conversations create better leaders, and better leaders create healthier organisations.
What makes an EmpathyWorks Leadership Coach different?
An EmpathyWorks Leadership Coach does not arrive with ready-made answers.
They create the conditions for leaders to pause, think deeply, explore different perspectives and discover solutions they genuinely own.
Our approach combines practical coaching skills with real-world leadership experience.
It is grounded in six qualities: curiosity, compassion, psychological safety, accountability, reflection and courage.
Together, these enable coaches to hold honest, purposeful conversations that strengthen leaders, teams and organisational cultures.
Create psychological safety and trust
Develop reflective leaders.
Lead with compassion and confidence
Coach real leadership challenges.
Inside the Leadership Coach Academy
Develop the skills, confidence and judgement to coach leaders through real-world challenges.
The Academy combines practical coaching experience with leadership insight, reflective practice and an understanding of organisational culture.
Throughout the programme, you will explore the core skills and approaches needed to coach leaders with confidence, compassion and credibility.
Across the Academy, you will explore:
Coaching rather than advising
Help leaders discover their own thinking and solutions.
Powerful listening and questioning
Listen deeply and ask questions that create insight and clarity.
Trust and psychological safety
Create the conditions for honest, reflective conversations.
Compassionate challenge
Learn when and how to challenge with courage, care and confidence.
Leadership in complexity
Coach leaders through uncertainty, pressure and organisational challenges.
Your coaching identity
Develop an authentic, reflective and ethical approach to leadership coaching.
Who should join the Academy?
For people who want to help leaders think, grow and thrive.
The Academy is designed for people who want to develop others through thoughtful, courageous coaching.
You do not need to be an experienced coach, only curious about people, open to reflection and committed to helping leaders grow.
- Emerging Leaders
- Team Leaders & Managers
- HR & People Professionals
- Learning & Development Professionals
- Internal Coaches & Mentors
- Charity, Public Sector & Third Sector
- Anyone passionate about developing people
If you believe leadership is about helping others succeed, this Academy has been designed with you in mind.
This could be for you if you are:
- Curious about people and leadership
- Keen to ask better questions
- Committed to compassionate and effective leadership
- Interested in helping others think differently
- Open to reflection and personal growth
- Guided by strong values and ethical practice
- Keen to make a lasting difference
The Leadership Coach Journey
Experience. Reflection. Practice. Growth.
Learning that lasts
Our Leadership Coach Academy is built around a simple principle: people learn best through experience, practice and reflection.
Each stage builds confidence, strengthens coaching skills and develops leadership identity.
Through observation, practice, feedback and reflection, participants leave equipped to coach with confidence, compassion and credibility in real organisational settings.
Observe
Watch experienced coaches at work and notice how they create trust, challenge and meaningful conversations.
Learn
Develop your knowledge of leadership, coaching psychology, reflective practice and organisational culture.
Practise
Apply your learning through structured exercises, live demonstrations and peer coaching.
Reflect
Take time to consider your experiences, celebrate your progress and identify opportunities for growth.
Receive feedback
Seek honest feedback from tutors and peers, reflect on what you hear, and use it to strengthen your coaching practice.
Coach
Begin coaching with increasing confidence, authenticity and professionalism in real leadership conversations.
Grow
Continue developing your own coaching identity and become the kind of leadership coach that organisations trust and leaders value.
Developing confident, reflective and credible leadership coaches who create meaningful change.
Humanity · Curiosity · Trust · Courage · Growth
Meet Your Programme Team
Our programme team brings together extensive experience in senior leadership, organisational development, coaching and supporting people in demanding environments.
Founded by Steve Robertson, a former Prison Governor and Cambridge graduate in Humanitarian Leadership, the team combines practical experience with a compassionate, honest and highly supportive approach.
Neil Lavis brings extensive senior leadership experience, including as a former Prison Governor and Director of Prisons in the Cayman Islands, alongside significant experience in leadership development and coaching.
Lauren Robertson is the Business Support Coordinator at EmpathyWorks.
Steve Priday is an award-winning teacher who brings a rich understanding of learning, development and how people grow.
Together, the team brings different experiences and perspectives, united by one purpose: helping people become confident, credible and compassionate leadership coaches.
Ready to become a Leadership Coach?
If you are ready to develop the confidence, skills and practical experience to coach leaders effectively, we would love to welcome you to the founding cohort of the EmpathyWorks Leadership Coach Academy
Founding Cohort Investment
£995 + VAT
First cohort expected to begin in November 2026.
Founding cohort members will help shape the future of the Academy while becoming part of its first community of Leadership Coaches.
- A six-month development journey with 12 live, two-hour online sessions, delivered fortnightly
- Practical coaching experience, observation, reflection and feedback
- Learning resources, practical tools and ongoing community support
Joining is simple
There is no complicated application process.
To reserve your place, or simply have an informal conversation about whether the Academy is right for you, contact Steve Robertson.
Email: info@leadershipconsultant.co.uk
Mobile: 07850 219310