Poking the Sacred Cow: Highlighting Controversy in the Controversial
In the Line of Fire When you express opinions in a way that puts your head above the parapet, you have to take what’s coming – whether others agree or not. Critics often express themselves quite vociferously, so tin hats at the ready. And it can be a sign that you’re...
Career Break Return Success: The Do-s and Don’t-s for Law Firms
The Career Return Journey As a Specialist Coach delivering one to one coaching and webinar training on behalf of law firms and barristers’ chambers to their career break returners, there’s not much I haven’t seen in terms of common topics preying on the minds of those...
Time Ownership through Covid & Beyond
Lawyers owning time Many of us living and working through the 2020/2021 Covid 19 pandemic are also waking up to the fact that we are no longer working from home but rather living at work instead. Now, more than ever, we are finding the insidious creep of work into our...
Let’s #ChoosetoChallenge Old School Working Life: International Women’s Day 2021
(Anonymised, italicised quotes from Social Media Contributors, with thanks) Isn’t it Ironic? There is a certain irony that on International Women’s Day, 8th March 2021, the schools in England re-open after the third lockdown since 20th March 2020. This year’s theme is...
When Wigs Become Masks
10 Strategies to help you overcome your imposter syndrome and achieve your goals Article written for a Commemorative edition of Counsel Magazine to celebrate the 2021 QC Announcements....
Positive Affirmations and Goal Achievement: “You Can”
Judgment Suspended I was at the Criminal Bar long enough, training to be a qualified coach, to know that barristers can be cynical about the concept of personal development. When it came to developing so called “soft skills”, some insinuated this was indicative only...
What makes us brave? 5 Strategies for Courageous Leadership
Effortless Courageousness I’ve chucked myself out of a plane at 12000 feet skydiving. I’ve bungee jumped with a 42m elastic band wrapped round my ankles. I’ve travelled solo across the globe to defend death row inmates in Jamaica. I’ve walked away from a successful 19...
The Woman beneath the Wig: Imposter Syndrome and how to overcome it
Image is Everything I’ve been out of the legal profession long enough to feel at liberty to admit that women in law have an image problem. With the day to day job, huge respect comes hand in hand with great responsibility. No one wants to be represented by a “flaky”...
Linkedin Leverage for Lawyers
I smile wryly to myself thinking back to my Bar days when old school colleagues would say that Linkedin activity was something to leave the clerks to and that marketing yourself as a Barrister – since we were a referral profession- was at the very least distasteful if...
Morning Motivation & Beyond: How Organisations & Leaders Inspire their People
Guest blog for Legally Blogged Employment Law looking at the 7 Strategies organisations and leaders can deploy to motivate and inspire their teams. https://www.legally-blogged.com/blog/morning-motivation-amp-beyondnbsp
Return with Confidence: How to Nail your Career Break Return
Career Return Experience As a Corporate Career Break Return Coach for 3 years and former criminal barrister who navigated my own career break return twice with child 1 and 2 then set up my current coaching business during maternity leave number 3, there isn’t...
Bar Sustainability: Zero Tolerance
Article for Counsel magazine in conjunction with the Association of Women Barristers looking at the impact to retention rates of inequality and a culture of fear, and measures to maintain gender balance and retain female Barristers to take silk....
Coping with Covid: The 3 Rs Re-Written
Coping with Covid – The 3 Rs Re-written This Covid Blog comes with its own health warning: it isn’t about wellness. I’m not going to repeat the obvious points in a crisis about preserving wellbeing by Eating & drinking healthily Getting plenty of Rest & Doing...
Women in Law: Their Unique challenge around Confidence
Blog for Lawcare Ltd celebrating International Women's Day 2020 and focusing on Women in Law and their unique challenges around confidence. https://www.lawcare.org.uk/news/women-in-law-their-unique-challenge-around-confidence
Overcoming the image problem of Coaching for Female Lawyers –a Celebration for International Women’s Day 2020
Latest blog in Celebration of International Women's Day 2020, for Women Lawyers and Mothers https://wlam.business.blog/2020/02/27/overcoming-the-image-problem-of-coaching-for-female-lawyers-a-celebration-for-international-womens-day-2020-by-nikki-alderson/
Coaching for Lawyers: Features and Benefits
Article for The Barrister Magazine, Jan. 2020: "Coaching for Lawyers: Features and Benefits" http://www.barristermagazine.com/coaching-for-lawyers-features-and-benefits/
100 Years of Women in Law: The Challenges that Remain
Latest article, this month for Lawyer Monthly, on 100 years of Women in Law: the Challenges that Remain https://www.lawyer-monthly.com/issues/2019/12/30/
Avoid Overwhelm: Practical Tips to improve your wellbeing
Guest blog for Lawcare, a legal community that values good mental health and wellbeing, where people thrive. https://www.lawcare.org.uk/news/avoid-overwhelm-practical-tips-to-improve-your-wellbeing
The Imperfections of Perfectionism
The pursuit of perfection, knowing when to stop and how to loosen perfectionism’s powerful grip Link to latest article for Counsel Magazine: https://www.counselmagazine.co.uk/articles/the-imperfections-of-perfectionism%E2%80%AC
Women in Transition: First 100 Days and Beyond
Link to my latest guest blog for The Law Society about Career Progression for Women, looking at stepping up to the plate, securing your next promotion and succeeding in your new role....
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
Delighted to have been invited to give expert comment for Law Absolute on the phenomenon that is Imposter Syndrome. Becoming more prevalent amongst my female lawyer clients, here is the link for more about it, how it might affect you, and more importantly, how to...
How to Tackle Self-Promotion without Feeling Awkward
Does the thought of self-promotion fill you with dread? Here are my tips on how to promote yourself in a confident and authentic way, in my latest Guest Blog, this time for Women Ready. https://womanready.com/how-to-tackle-self-promotion-without-feeling-awkward/
A Fork in the Road: Navigating a Career in Law & Taking Your Authentic Path
Link to Guest Blog for The Rich Lawyer Life considering how to be authentic in planning and following your career path: https://therichlawyer.life/a-fork-in-the-road-navigating-a-career-in-law-taking-your-authentic-path/ ...
Mind Over Matter: Shifting Mindset & Mood to Increase Workplace Productivity
Here is the link to Guest Blog for Legal Tech company, Bigle Legal - "Mind Over Matter: Shifting Mindset and Mood to Increase Workplace Productivity" https://blog.biglelegal.com/en/shifting-mindset-and-mood-increase-workplace-productivity
Birthday Blog
Something to Celebrate “60% of new businesses go-under within three years, and 20% close their doors within just 12 months,” according to 2019 figures in the Telegraph. Today I’m delighted then to be celebrating Nikki Alderson Coaching's 3rd year in business, seeing a...
How to be a barrister and parent and succeed at both
Link to my latest article for Counsel Magazine which caused something of a Twitter-storm! https://www.counselmagazine.co.uk/articles/how-to-be-a-barrister-and-parent-and-succeed-at-both
How to say “No” but keep the opportunities flowing
Link to latest guest blog, this time for Counsel Magazine, around saying "no" whilst keeping opportunities flowing. https://www.counselmagazine.co.uk/articles/how-to-say-no-but-keep-the-opportunities-flowing
Working Parent Lawyers’ Summer Survival Guide
School's Out for Summer As the countdown to “school’s out” starts in earnest, are you ready for the impending onslaught of routine and pace change? The start of July is the month where suddenly reality bites around the internal conflict of wanting to spend time with...
Women in Transition: Guest Blog for Oxford Women in Law
Women in Transition: Deciding to Decide, Stepping Up & Your First 100 Days and Beyond Link to my latest blog for the Oxford University Alumna Women in Law – Women in Transition: Deciding to Decide, Stepping Up & Your First 100 Days and Beyond...
Imposter Syndrome: Delivering the knock-out blows
Imposter Syndrome: A common theme Over the time that I have been coaching female lawyers, recurring themes are coming up for clients around their challenges at work. Confidence issues around a return to work after maternity leave or going for a promotion or judicial...
Do-s and Don’t-s for Career Break Return Women Lawyers: Guest Blog for Oxford Women in Law
Do-s and Don't-s for Career Break Return Women Lawyers Here is the link to my latest blog on behalf of Oxford Women in Law (OWL), founded in 2014 as a network for Oxford Law Alumni of all genders. It covers the do-s and don't-s of career break returners in law and...
How returning to work typically affects child sleep: Guest Blog with Little Sleep Stars
How returning to work typically affects child sleep Latest Blog post in conjunction with Little Sleep Stars on the challenges of and solutions to a return to work after maternity leave....
Solving the Retention Crisis for Women in Law: The Profession’s rude awakening after a half century sleep walk
International Women’s Day, March 8th 2019 There is much to celebrate today, International Women’s Day 2019, reflecting on the last 100 years of women in law. I was at the Temple Women’s Forum last week, doing precisely that, with the likes of Baroness Helena Kennedy...
Mental Toughness: A Choice We Make – Guest Blog for Truth Legal
Mental Toughness: A Choice We Make Follow the link below to my latest guest blog for Truth Legal on Mental Toughness https://www.truthlegal.com/mental-toughness-a-choice-we-make/
Women in Law: Rising to the Challenges
Link to article for The Criminal Bar Association Criminal Bar Quarterly - see from p.28 onwards. https://www.criminalbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/CBA_Winter_2018.pdf
Wellbeing at Work: What’s your Strategy?
Barristers in the grip of a mental health crisis According to an article in The Guardian (6.5.18), Barristers in England and Wales are “in the grip of a mental health crisis”. A survey for The Bar Council reveal that nearly half of participating counsel said they...
Making a Career in Law work: Priorities & Planning
Link to most recent blog for The Law Society https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/news/blog/making-a-career-in-law-work-priorities-and-planning/
Confidence Breeds Confidence: Guest blog for GPS Return, 1st May 2018
As a Corporate and Executive Coach specialising in coaching lawyers, I note with interest how clients’ words and tone on occasion betray an under- confidence not immediately associated with the profession.
You are Worth It!! Guest blog for GPS Return, 6th March 2018
https://www.gpsreturn.co.uk/tips/worthit
Stop Saying Yes, Start Saying No: Guest Blog for The Law Society, 10th July 2018
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/news/blog/stop-saying-yes-start-saying-no/
Clarity, Connection and Confidence: Coaching Tips to Inspire and Get Results
I spoke recently at the Leeds Launch event of Women in the Law UK. The theme was Clarity, Connection and Confidence. Delegates, particularly those at a career crossroads or “deciding to decide” on promotion, said they found it an inspiring piece, Here then, a summary...
Coaching or Mentoring: Which is right for you?
Coaching and Mentoring: An established need for Women to support other Women I have recently delivered coaching workshops to several membership groups for female lawyers. Notably, the Women in Criminal Law and Women in the Law UK groups have, as part of their...
Choosing Positive over Negative: Making a Conscious Choice
Unconscious Bias An American Business School Case Study undertaken in the Noughties examined perceptions of men and women in the workplace. An identical (and truthful) story about a successful venture capitalist was told to the students with only one detail changed to...
The Digital Age: A Help or Hindrance to our ability to “Own” Time?
There can be no argument that the digital age has made the world a smaller and more accessible place, and that opportunities, in particular for women, to work flexibly within the work place have improved immeasurably with the rise in remote working and the so called...
First Year Reflections: Acorns, Oak Trees & Icebergs- 10 Top Tips to Get Your Business Started
A year ago to the day, on 14 August 2017, Nikki Alderson Coaching launched. And what a year it’s been. A year in which I’ve had opportunity to grow, both as a woman in business and personally. Reflecting on the gains and areas of stretch that I have experienced, here...
Making a Career in Law Work: Getting your priorities right and action planning
A Legal Career: Where are YOU headed? As a former criminal barrister, practising at Broadway House Chambers for the best part of 20 years, and dealing with heavy weight Rape and Sexual Offences cases, I have direct experience of managing the competing interests of the...
Positive Mind, Positive Outcomes
Helpful Habits & Behaviour? Have you ever examined whether the habits and behaviour you have formed over time actually help or hinder in getting to where you want to be? If you consider how you might adopt a different approach, how might that also effect a...
Increasing Work Place Performance and Assertiveness: Mastering the Art of Saying “No”
Saying "Yes" to prove a point As a former criminal barrister, practising at Broadway House Chambers for the best part of 20 years, I am all too familiar with the expectations of a profession which can lead lawyers to say "yes" to work undertakings simply to tow the...
Busy 24/7 Lives
2 24/7 Living Listening to the Radio today the Arcade Fire song “Everything Now” stopped me in my tracks. How many of us are wrapped up in this pressure-laden world of clients needing “everything now”, where we’re on call 24/7 because we’re accessible to them, and the...
Coaching Female Lawyers: Women Being Women
Old School Senior Female Lawyer Role Models International Women’s Day has doubtless caused many a working woman to reflect on their experiences to date. As a senior Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Prosecution Barrister, I experienced nearly 20 years of life as a...
The Beast from the East…Tamed : Turning challenging Snow Days into Business as Usual Productivity
Understanding Urgent/ Important As we enter the grip of Day 3 of The Beast from the East, as a working parent, I totally understand the competing emotions of enforced time to reflect, spending time sledging with my nearest and dearest, and the nagging thoughts of what...
Barrister to Corporate and Executive Coach: Calling Time at the Bar
Criminal Barrister Background I have 19 years experience as a Criminal Barrister practising in Yorkshire, working from Broadway House Chambers, Bradford/ Leeds. From the outset, I had no hesitation in developing my practice in an unconventional way, with a...
Your USP is You: Knowing your own worth and how to get it
You’re Worth It! Gender Pay Gap As a 40+ year old woman, having taken extended maternity leave and experienced the perceived “negative impact” on career progression and income, I wasn’t surprised to learn the gender pay gap in UK for women in their 40s is around 25%...
Sea Change
Changing and Learning During the two and a half years that I have been on extended maternity leave I have been learning so much about little people, and indeed myself. The unconditional ease with which you prioritise, as though your life depends on it, another human...
24/7 Businesses: Finding Focus from Fog
Everything Now Listening to the Radio today the Arcade Fire song “Everything Now” stopped me in my tracks. How many of us are wrapped up in this pressure-laden world of clients needing “everything now”, where we’re on call 24/7 because we’re accessible to them, and...
The GROW Coaching Model: Goals; Reality; Options; Will/ Way Forward
Golden Acre Park, Leeds Crunching through the reddy-brown autumn leaves in Yorkshire’s Golden Acre Park today whilst my youngest delightedly scooted through muddy puddles, we came across a freshly dug mole hill. To him, it was huge, and an opportunity to scramble up...
Life isn’t about waiting for the winds to change; it’s learning to adjust your sails
3 Helpful Hints to safely navigate significant change & new challenges in business Planning is key 1.A goal without a plan is just a wish - Antoine de Saint Exupery I started my coaching business whilst a full time mum working in the nooks and crannies of time. In...
Business Coaching: An introduction, and the benefits
Coaching defined A conversation between 2 people during which the Coach assists the Coachee move from where they currently are to where they want to be, more quickly and effectively than if they had acted alone, thereby supporting the Coachees achievement of...
From Barrister to Business Coach: A “Koru” Case Study of Personal Growth
Yorkshire Barrister with Global Credentials Hailing from Sheffield, reading law at Balliol College, Oxford, and completing Bar Finals at the Inns of Court School of Law, London, naturally developed in me a strong work ethic. A Criminal Barrister in Yorkshire for...