Why coaching matters – and why Think EQ
When leaders adopt a coaching approach, conversations change. And when conversations change, so does everything else — trust deepens, accountability grows, and people start bringing their best thinking to work.
But coaching skills alone aren’t enough. The leaders who make the biggest difference aren’t just asking better questions — they’re doing it with emotional intelligence. They know how to read the room, regulate their own reactions, and create the kind of psychological safety where real conversations happen.
That’s what makes ThinkEQ different. We don’t just teach coaching techniques. We develop the emotional intelligence that makes those techniques land.
Organisations that invest in EQ-led coaching leaders see measurable improvements in collaboration, innovation, and wellbeing — outcomes that directly impact performance and retention. And the numbers back it up: organisations that widely use emotional intelligence are 3.2x more effective at leadership development
What is Leader as Coach?
Leader as Coach equips managers with practical coaching skills grounded in emotional intelligence. Through a blend of learning, reflection, and real-world application, participants develop the confidence and capability to lead with curiosity and empathy, inspiring accountability, engagement, and growth across their teams.
The programme introduces the foundations of a coaching mindset: listening to understand, asking powerful questions, and recognising the potential in others. Each participant gains the tools to turn daily conversations into meaningful opportunities for learning and performance.
On completion, delegates receive a Recognised Leader as Coach Certificate, formally recognising their coaching capability and commitment to leading through connection and trust.
Meet your coaches
Our Leader as Coach programme is designed and led by Kirsty McWilliam, Master Executive Coach and ThinkEQ’s Lead Facilitator, alongside her team of experienced, accredited coaches.
Kirsty founded ThinkEQ in 2008, driven by a belief that coaching only works when it becomes part of how people actually lead — not a one-off course. She’s an Accredited Coach with the Association for Coaching and an EQ-i 2.0 Certified Trainer, bringing the world’s first scientifically validated emotional intelligence tool into her coaching practice.
Get to know our team here:
Find your programme:
| Open Programme | In-House Programme | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is it for? | Individual leaders & managers | Leadership teams / cohorts |
| Delivery | Open cohort, online or Edinburgh | Private, tailored to your organisation |
| Duration | 12 weeks | Flexible, built around your goals |
| AC Recognised | ✓ | ✓ |
| Peer coaching practice | ✓ | ✓ |
| EQ-i 2.0 option | ✓ | ✓ (Advanced level) |
| Cost | From £895 + VAT | Contact us |
| Join as an Individual → | View In-House Options → |
Join as an Individual: The Open Programme
Do you want to build your own coaching skills, alongside a small cohort of leaders and managers from other organisations? Our open programme runs over 12 weeks, combining online learning, live workshops, and peer coaching practice — delivered online or in person in Edinburgh.
12 weeks · AC Recognised · Online or In-Person (Edinburgh) · Practical & interactive
Next Cohort:
Online cohort starts Tuesday 10th November
In person in Edinburgh starts Tuesday 3rd November
View the full schedule of training dates here.
Are you keen to understand your own emotional intelligence as part of the journey? Add an EQ-i 2.0 assessment and 1:1 debrief when you book — a personalised look at your EQ strengths, and how they shape your leadership and coaching style.
| Self-funded | Employer-funded | |
|---|---|---|
| Recognised Leader as Coach | £895+ VAT | £1095+ VAT |
| + Add EQ-i 2.0 assessment & 1:1 debrief | +£400 + VAT | +£400 + VAT |
| Early bird for 2026 programmes (book by 5th October 2026) | £795+ VAT | £995 + VAT |
What you’ll develop
Over 12 weeks, you’ll build the skills and confidence to:
- Have more meaningful, developmental conversations
- Listen more deeply and ask better questions
- Use coaching rather than defaulting to telling and advising
- Build ownership and accountability in your team
- Recognise when to coach, when to manage, and when to lead
Practise your coaching skills with peers and receive real feedback
How the programme works:
Recognised Leader as Coach Certification unfolds over 12 weeks, combining theory, practice, and reflection in four connected steps:
Step 1: Online Modules
A self-paced online course introducing the principles of coaching, including active listening, powerful questioning, and recognising coachable moments.
Time commitment
2 hours of pre course online modules
Step 2: Interactive Workshop
A practical, one-day workshop led by an accredited coach, focusing on real-world application and confidence in coaching conversations.
Time commitment
7 hours - workshop 1
Step 3: Peer Coaching Practice
Between workshops, participants pair with peers to practise, reflect, and refine their coaching skills with access to Think EQ’s online support and resources.
Time commitment
Ongoing — peer coaching practice in your day-to-day
Step 4: Advanced Techniques
A follow-up day exploring advanced techniques, reflective supervision, and embedding coaching into leadership practice.
Time commitment
7 hours - workshop 2
In-House: Three levels to fit your organisation
Looking to develop coaching capability across your organisation? Leader as Coach can also be delivered exclusively for your team, creating a shared coaching approach across your leadership population.
Multiple bookings discount available — get in touch to discuss cohort size and timing.
Starter
From £4,500 + VAT
Cohort of 6
For emerging leaders and new managers developing foundational coaching confidence and communication skills.
Advanced
From £7,500 + VAT
Cohort of 6
For experienced managers and teams embedding coaching more strategically across the organisation.
Includes
A 1:1 EQ assessment and feedback session
Executive
From £16,500 + VAT
Cohort of 6
For senior leaders integrating coaching into strategic decision-making and organisational change.
Includes
Every participant receives their own individual 1:1, three-month EQ executive coaching programme with our Master Executive Coach — not a shared or group session, but dedicated coaching for each person in the cohort.
Who is the In-House programme for
This programme is designed for organisations seeking to build a coaching culture from within, empowering their managers and leaders to lead more effectively through conversation.
Delivered by ThinkEQ’s accredited coaches, every element blends professional rigour with emotional intelligence, ensuring a safe, reflective, and transformative experience.
The impact
After completing The Recognised Leader as Coach Certification, participants will:
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Confidently apply a coaching approach in everyday leadership situations.
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Strengthen trust, engagement, and accountability within their teams.
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Lead with greater empathy and emotional intelligence.
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Foster a culture of curiosity, growth, and shared ownership.
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Be recognised with an AC-accredited Leader Coach Certificate — a mark of professional credibility and practical coaching skill.
Empowered leaders create empowered teams.
Leader as Coach transforms everyday conversations into catalysts for growth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What's the difference between the open programme and the in-house programme?
The open programme is for individuals — you join a cohort alongside leaders from other organisations. The in-house programme is delivered exclusively for your team, tailored to your organisation’s context.
Do I need any prior coaching experience?
No prior coaching expeirence is required.
Can I do the open programme if my employer is paying?
Yes — the employer-funded price applies whether you book it yourself and expense it, or your organisation books your place directly.
What does the EQ-i 2.0 add-on actually involve?
A personalised psychometric assessment of your emotional intelligence, plus a 1:1 debrief session to explore what it means for your leadership and coaching style.
How much does the in-house programme cost?
Pricing depends on cohort size and level (Standard, Advanced, Executive) — request a brochure for full details.
How much time does the programme take?
The structured learning elements are light-touch by design – two workshop days (7 hours each) and around 2 hours of pre-course online modules. The rest of the programme happens in the flow of your working life: peer coaching conversations and real workplace practice woven into your day-to-day over 12 weeks.
So in total, you’re committing to roughly 16 hours of structured time across three months – the rest is practice, not extra workload.
Is the programme delivered online or in person?
Both options are available. The open programme — where individual managers and leaders join a cohort from different organisations — runs online or in person in Edinburgh. For organisations bringing their own team, we can deliver in person at your location or online, whichever works best for your people. We’ll discuss the right format for you when we talk.
Can this programme lead to my own coaching accreditation?
Yes — in two ways, depending on where you want to go.
As a recognised coaching leader: Completing the Recognised Leader as Coach programme puts you on the path to your own AC Leader Coach Accreditation should you wish to take this further — a credential that formally recognises your coaching capability as a leader. We support participants through this process. Contact us to find out more.
As a professional coach: If you’re interested in coaching as a profession — whether as an internal coach or independently — this programme can serve as a foundation towards a professional coaching qualification. Speak to us about our professional coach training pathway and what’s right for your next step.
Making an Impact
Organisations that value and widely use Emotional Intelligence are 3.2x more effective at leadership development.
Leadership and Emotional Intelligence: The Keys to Driving ROl and Organizational Performance
Human Capital Institute
Book an initial call
From fledgling employees to experienced leaders, Think EQ offers ongoing, sustainable and measurable EQ coaching to create highly effective teams and better business results. Please get in touch discuss how we could help your business to achieve more