Dr James Pritchard
James supports his clients to clarify their thinking and make decisions that bring them peace. After more than 35 years as a coach, he aims to help his clients spread joy in their work and their life. As well as individual development, he is interested in how coaching can enable system change and he led a programme to build an integrated coaching and mentoring offer across the Civil Service, to encourage supportive conversations at all levels.
His coaching stems from a PhD in engineering and background in industry. The underlying question being ‘How does this work and what would make it work better?’. He also has over 20 years practicing and teaching yoga and meditation – prompting enquiry into the journey of the soul through life, and how this can be informed by, and contribute to, the laboratory of work.
Coaching can enable an environment of confidentiality and trust, where the client feels safe to work at the edge of their thinking. The regularity of coaching allows seeds planted in the coaching conversation to bloom in the intervening time and be re-examined and tended in the next cycle.
James works primarily with senior leaders often in technical or complex environments. His current work is in NHS, Civil Service, Judiciary and higher education, although he has experience across all sectors.
James has a BSc and a Ph.D. in Engineering. He is a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and an accredited mediator. He has a Higher Professional Development (coaching supervision) through Oxford Brookes University.
James is co-author of the Oxford University Press ‘Teamwork for Primary and Shared Care’, and a chapter in the Sage handbook of Coaching on Coaching and Organisational Development. He is a level 3 Iyengar yoga teacher and has opened Vishuddha Yoga Centre in Oxford to build a community of practice supporting the physical, psychological and spiritual health of local people.
“In all my meetings with James, I have found him to be a most facilitating presence, a deep listener and enabler.”
“James supported me to gain self-esteem from a review of my strengths, challenges and opportunities. Be aware of how powerful decision makers can react to influence Be aware of my positive personal impact, not from what I deliver but who I am and the values I demonstrate. Tactics to make me more curious about others.”
“James is a brilliant coach. Great mix of support and challenge. He helped me explore some really important drivers which impacted on life inside and outside the workplace, and helped me achieve real focus. Would recommend him unreservedly.”
“James supported me in exploring personal wide-ranging and historical experiences and helped me understand how these were affecting my behaviour, including my confidence at work. He encouraged me to challenge my beliefs where these were proving unhelpful to my aspirations, and to take a practical approach to resolving uncertainties that I faced.”