About Me

Why choose me as your coach?

My interest in ‘what makes people tick’ started at university, when I studied psychology, english and social anthropology* for my MA degree. (*see below). A very practical training in people skills (and other things!) followed when I completed my nurse training at St Thomas’ Hospital, London. Dealing with patients and their relatives, who, because they were in hospital meant they were worried and anxious, led to me developing an ability to empathise and understand peoples’ fears, a skill very much required in the coaching situation.

I spent several years at the House of Commons, working for a senior member of the House. This gave me a great insight into the world of State and Government, and how politicians function under the pressure and glare of the world media. Interestingly, the need for strict confidentiality around other peoples’ personal lives became very apparent whilst working here!

I have worked as a producer and radio presenter for BBC Radio Berkshire, Kick fm, and as a TV presenter for cable station, Thames Valley TV. This experience in the media industry enabled me to understand the power of listening well and asking the pertinent question. Interviewing politicians gave me plenty of practice in guiding a discussion back to the relevant point!

I have worked as a trainer, leading ‘Women Returning to the Workplace’ courses; I have also worked in secondary schools delivering Effective Communication training courses to teenagers (including excluded teenagers).   Both experiences gave me insight into fears that confront people when embarking on life-changing challenges.

Working in a variety of workplaces and industries has given me great insight into how much the mindset of the workforce around you can influence personal well-being and ability to reach individual potential. In addition to the workplaces mentioned above, I have worked for insurance brokers Sedgewicks in the City of London, for a London publishing house and in the voluntary sector as Trust Manager for Newbury Cancer Care Trust.

My approach to coaching (and life) is a very grounded one; I feel that bringing up a family of four daughters has provided me with a very robust training ground for coaching… there’s nothing quite like a teenager telling you to shut up and listen, “ you shut up and listen! Rather unorthodox, but a very powerful way to learn about attentive listening, one of the critical skills of coaching.

I am now currently working as a personal development coach in Newbury, West Berkshire and Harley Street, Central London.  I also work as a speaker and trainer

Lis Allen MA, RGN, LCH Dip
Results Coach
Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner
Hypnotherapist

* Social anthropology studies how currently-living human beings behave in social groups.