Seventeen years. That's how long I spent in corporate life at Lloyds Banking Group, navigating boardrooms, building teams, chasing targets. It was a world I knew well, but somewhere along the way, something shifted, everything looked the same, except me.
I wasn't searching for change when it found me. Two years ago, Rachel Gierula, an executive coach from Barefoot, came into Lloyds and hosted a talk on coaching. Something in her presence, her language, her way of being stirred something deep within me. It was subtle, but seismic. For the first time in years, I felt a quiet invitation to explore a different way of working, leading, and living.
That moment planted a seed, over time, I leaned into coaching more intentionally, leading on the coaching proposition within Lloyds, joining the internal coaching faculty, and shaping the team effectiveness strategy across the group. These roles gave me a glimpse of what work could feel like when it was rooted in purpose, connection, and transformation.
Photo by Robbiejamesgray
But the deeper I went, the clearer it became: I wasn't just interested in coaching, I was being called to it. That quiet discomfort became a question I couldn't ignore…
What if the real risk isn't in the leap, but in staying put?
The leap wasn't graceful. It was messy, energising, and full of doubt. Starting The Agentic Coach wasn't a pivot, it was a reinvention. I didn't walk away from my past; I reframed it. Every lesson in leadership, every moment of resilience, every misstep now informs how I support others through change.
Today, The Agentic Coach offers transformational coaching and facilitation for leaders, teams, and changemakers navigating transition. I work with clients across executive and leadership development, team effectiveness, and ADHD coaching, especially those who feel stuck between who they were and who they're becoming. My approach blends strategic insight with deep listening, creating space for growth that's both practical and personal.
A recent conversation with Colin Parsons from Vantage Point brought all this into focus. We talked about transitions, about the stories we carry, and the ones we're ready to rewrite. It reminded me that change isn't just external, it's deeply personal. And that the most powerful transformations often begin with a whisper, not a roar.
This journey has taught me that reinvention isn't reserved for the brave few, it's available to anyone willing to listen to that quiet nudge within. It's not about having all the answers. It's about being willing to ask better questions.
So if you're sensing a shift, or already in the thick of one, this story is for you. You're not alone. The path may be uncertain, but it's rich with possibility.
Let's talk.
I'd love to hear your story!
Main- Photo by Cristian Escobar on Unsplash
About the Author: Craig Stimson
