Client Case Study: Ruth Farenga

Recognising the mental health impact of her working in the corporate sector, Ruth Farenga suspended her previously-held scepticism and invested in a mindfulness course with Oxford University. Eyes opened to this practice, she committed to further extensive training, then applied her newfound insight into creating Mindful Pathway in 2015 (now Conscious Leaders), to share leadership training for better productivity and enjoyment for others.

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Client Case Study: Ruth Farenga, Mindful Pathway

Coaching Contract: January 2020 to 2022, Ruth Farenga meets with Jennifer Clamp every six weeks for a 90 minute session.

Why did you choose to embark on business coaching?

I chose to invest in Founder Coaching because I needed more clarity about where I was going; about my role and how to enjoy the process as an entrepreneur. In addition I was also looking for advice on how to gain more financial stability with a service that sees many peaks and troughs, and to get a clear strategic direction to create more sustainable income.

As a leadership trainer, it’s critical to be in the right place to be able to deliver training to others. I believe all other trainers should be undertaking regular coaching too, to move past their own blockers. When you’re constantly working with others, you have to make sure that you are getting out of your own way - and theirs, so you don’t project on them in any way.

What's it like working with Jennifer? How would you describe her coaching style?

Jennifer is very good at helping me slow down and think more clearly. When I go into one of our sessions with a problem, I can get stuck in the detail, but Jennifer will help me take a step back and see the big picture. Sometimes the problem is more indicative of a personal barrier.

She is simultaneously caring and challenging - I’ve coined it ‘compassionate challenge’ - and I’ve never found anyone as good at it as Jennifer is, she will help you get to the bottom of the problem quite quickly and then support you move through whatever barrier that’s holding you back.

What has been the most valuable exercise you’ve done in a session?

Each coaching relationship is unique, and for myself and Jennifer, we’ve focussed more on structured conversations than any particular exercises. I’ve got so much value from having Jennifer challenge the assumptions that I make. For example, I had a block with a female senior I was working with and Jennifer helped bring me awareness and support me with my expression around it.

Each session is a conscious conversation which she facilitates, bringing it back to the big picture and out of the detail to focus on the real issue - she doesn’t let you get away with too much! Jennifer genuinely cares.

What changes have you noticed in yourself over the course of your work together?

I think, primarily, I’ve noticed that I approach situations differently now; for example, Jennifer has been helping me work in a more experimental mode - rather than in self-induced high-pressure. This has been freeing for my business because I can take myself less seriously, and with less stress and pressure I am more productive.

Another approach she’s coached me on is in my confidence in my product and my own ability, so rather than being occupied with self-doubt I have to experiment on our marketing and positioning.

As a whole, our coaching relationship has changed how I operate; bringing self-awareness to behaviours which have been holding me back, and a more conscious and considered approach.

How did the coaching experience differ from or meet your original expectations of it? 

The coaching experience definitely exceeded my expectations - the great thing with Jennifer is that she’s really been there and done it as an entrepreneur. The credibility she has behind her is the real backbone of her coaching for me, and I can feel it through the types of conversations we have.

The way that she looks at me as a coach, and the faith she has in my capacity and future is quite powerful.

How do you measure 'success' as an outcome of coaching?

I measure each individual session a success when I come out feeling lighter, all my responsibilities are still there, but I feel lighter in my approach to them - that’s a major indicator for me. I also feel like I’ve been challenged, like I’ve moved past something through questioning.

Over the coaching experience as a whole, it’s my growing self-awareness and my perspective-shift which I see as a success.

Who would you recommend Jennifer's coaching for, and why?

I’d recommend Founder Coaching to purpose-driven entrepreneurs who carry a lot emotionally and have big ambitions for their scaling or ready-to-scale business. Perhaps those who are pushing themselves too hard but are willing to step up and gain that self-awareness and be socially conscious. Jennifer is there to help them realise their impact without them burning themselves out.