Oliver Hansard
Empathy | Insight | Action | Change
Oliver Hansard
I work with ambitious lawyers, accountants, technologists and entrepreneurs to help them find enduring solutions to their business or personal challenges.
I have a legal background, having trained at the law firm Clifford Chance, and have subsequently had a wide-ranging commercial career in the marketing and data industries. I use this experience, in combination with best in class coaching techniques, to enable those I work with to discover the right outcome for them.
The key to any successful coaching relationship is the rapport between coach and client. Without this, the real work becomes all but impossible. By building empathy, and encouraging my clients to engage in honest self-analysis and reflection, I empower them to take action. This invariably facilitates a change and helps them find their ‘edge’.
Experience
I have experience in the following sectors: data; retail; fast moving consumer goods; media; sport; law; and gaming. I was a key member of the senior management team that took the Tesco owned data science consultancy dunnhumby from c.£5M profit in 2002 to c.£90M profit in 2014. I have worked and scaled businesses in more than 20 countries around the world including China Brazil the USA and most of Europe. Additionally, I spent two years working at Liberty Global, Europe’s leading cable company.
I am also a non-executive director and board advisor in a number of technology businesses. I believe this working blend enables me to bring current, relevant experience into my coaching assignments. I have a particular interest in empathy, both as a leadership tool and as a compass to navigate our increasingly complex and interconnected world.
I am a founder member of Catalyst Thinking Partners, a diverse network of like-minded coaches and mentors who all met on the same coaching course at Henley Business School (www.catalystthinking.com).
I have my own podcast, the Lawyer’s Coach (www.lawyercoach.co.uk).
I have experience in the following sectors:
- Data
- Retail
- Fast-moving consumer goods
- Media
- Sport
- Law
- Gaming
- Not for profit
My Approach
I employ an agile yet effective 4 stage process during my coaching work:
Empathy
Nothing will be achieved without a strong rapport between coachee and coach. Indeed, research shows that 30% of a successful coaching outcome relies on the relationship between coach and coachee. Accordingly, my unconditional positive regard for his coachees provides a powerful platform to enable the real work.
Insight
An honest, objective analysis of the challenges at hand is critical to success. I empower my coachees with the confidence to identify and critically assess their unique set of circumstances. Indeed, it is the coachee who is the true expert in themselves.
Action
This understanding is then used to develop appropriate actions or even a plan that is realistic yet challenging which the coachee is responsible for delivering between sessions
Change
This comes from reinforcing the desire to do things differently and by measuring progress against the plan. Often a coachee we learn new insights about themselves in between sessions so course correction may be appropriate.
A variety of tools can be employed during any of the above stages. Inspired by positive psychology, I use generative listening techniques to encourage a positive mindset and strong motivation during and around sessions. I have found that the combination of focusing on an individual’s strengths and guided self-reflection is a powerful enabler of success for his coachees.
Regardless of the approach or approaches that may be employed, identifying and achieving the best outcome in partnership with my coachees is critical. The trick is in identifying the key issue(s) that are being faced, assessing them with honesty and finding a solution that works best for the individual in the relevant context.
“Expert and professional coaching support”
Accreditations, memberships and additional qualifications
- European Mentoring & Coaching Council: Senior Practitioner
- Association for Coaching: Member
- Postgraduate Certificate in Neuroscience and Psychology, Henley Business School
- Professional Certificate in Coaching, Henley Business School
- Qualified Solicitor (CPE/Law Society Finals)
- BA Hons Economical and Political Development, Exeter University
- Qualified football and cricket coach
My Personality
We’ve all had to endure psychometric tests and you may end up sharing yours with me. So here are some of mine before you ask!
16 Personalities – Consul
Strengthfinders – Honesty
Discovery Insights – Motivating Inspirer
Services
Professionals
Technologists
Entrepreneurs
Media Executives
Coaching Services
Trusted by
Oliver helped me incredibly. The approach he took with me not only made me think about my core values and needs but also helped me to re-focus on my strengths and give me the confidence to come out the other side of a difficult transition period.
Tom Gromski
Senior Service Delivery Manager at Microsoft
Oliver… is able to fuse his commercial experience and coaching skills to bring clarity and real value to his clients, which enables them to identify development opportunities in a sustained way. He is a good listener and quick to build a strong and professional rapport which facilitates tough topics to be addressed in a safe environment.
David Stanton
Board Member at London City Airport and Birmingham Airport, Deputy Chairman Copenhagen Airport
Oliver is able to help our lawyers develop, improve their confidence and become happier within their roles. Individuals have found working with Oliver to be a hugely beneficial process and the experience has had a positive impact on their work.
Jon Smart
Partner at Freeths specialising in Real Estate
Oliver has lived much of what I am experiencing as a leader of a tech business. This understanding of my context enables me to work through a range of current and emerging issues in a safe and calm environment and so enables me to find the right outcome.
Steve Oliver
Co-Founder and CEO at Entertainment Magpie Limited
He has helped me to make progress with respect to a number of commercial and organisational issues in my business. He creates a useful environment for me to think through key areas of our business and to enable me develop my own solutions. He also brings in his business experience into the room when appropriate.
Justin Moore
Partner at Arnold Hill & Co
Oliver offers expert and professional coaching support. He has been able to understand the needs of the business and individuals alike, and, as a result has enabled my reports to grow and develop individually and collectively.
Chris Lloyd
Head of Professional Information Business & EVP, Dow Jones
Having Ollie as my coach has been a huge blessing. He is a great listener, professional and very personable. His multidisciplinary background makes him easily relatable to different subject matters. He challenges the thinking process and helps you focus on what really matters. I particularly like the fact that he is not self-imposing and his sessions always leave me motivated.
Abiola Yusuf
Director of Finance, Property and ICT at Nightingale Hammerson
Oliver has an elegant way of fusing his commercial experience and coaching skills in offering support to the business. He has a knack of asking the difficult questions and prompting important and often challenging discussions for the executive group. His approach makes us stop, think and seek clarity about the options before us and has given us the conviction to make more effective decisions.
Ronan Higgins
CEO TVAdSync
Oliver's calm and measured approach is always balanced with the right amount of humility and humour! There is no doubt that Oliver's extensive business experience and depth as a Lawyer make him an outstanding coach.
Jane Mason
Chief People Officer at VIOOH
