Coaching

"We need different lived experiences in spaces of decision making and power. We need you to show up as the leader you are, not the leader you ‘should’ be.”

Dr Amanda Sterling

“I came into the coaching with a vague idea of where I wanted to head, but no idea where to start. Through clever and thoughtful questioning, Amanda guided me through a deep exploration of my values to understand myself, and the beliefs that were holding me back. But, most importantly, what it looks like when I’m aligned to how I want to show up in the world.”

Coaching Client

My signature 6-session Learn to Fly coaching programme is designed to help female leaders develop authentic leadership confidence while building essential people leadership skills.

The programme can be designed to complement your organisation’s leadership development framework, values and competencies.

The coaching focuses on practical actions, self-awareness, and a leadership tool kit that can be used long after coaching is finished.

Contact me to discuss offering this coaching programme to your women in leadership roles.

Session 1: Realities and Foundations

Explore your current leadership challenges, identify your core values and leadership strengths, and set coaching goals.

Output: Coaching goals.

Session 2: Define your Leadership Identity

Challenge assumptions about what leadership ‘should’ look like, map your existing experience and expertise to leadership competencies, and develop your personal leadership philosophy.

Output: Leadership identity statement.

Session 3: Build Confidence through Self-Connection

Explore the neuroscience of confidence, learn practical ways to recognise your embodied experience, and re-frame your self-talk in more empowering ways.

Output: Tools for embodied connection and reframing.

Session 4: Understand your Vulnerability

Understand how psychological safety affects how you show up as a leader, name the boundaries you need to put in place around your leadership identity.

Output: Psychological safety and boundary setting.

Session 5: Connected Conversations

Recognise the communication strategies that honour your leadership identity, build the capabilities for greater connections and communication with others (team and those you lead).

Output: Communication skills.

Session 6: Integration and Future Leadership

Consolidate key insights, celebrate progress, and develop a plan for ongoing leadership development.

Output: Career goals and development planning.

“I have been on a journey for the last 2-3 years figuring out my space, my strength, and who I want to be as a leader. The coaching sessions with Amanda honestly felt like the icing on the cake. She guided me through the last few steps that I was struggling to move through myself. Amanda helped me get clarity around my values and purpose, clearer on my priorities, and acknowledge and celebrate my strengths and leadership style. This all meant I’ve been able to make some BIG life changing decisions and feel really clear and confident about starting this next chapter in my life. I feel more at peace AND excited about what I can bring to the world!”

Coaching Client

Your coach

Dr Amanda Sterling is a neuroscience-trained coach and leadership consultant who combines current research with decades of practical experience to help women advance and thrive in leadership roles.

As a coach certified through the NeuroLeadership Institute ®, Amanda brings a unique understanding of how the brain works to leadership development, helping clients overcome internal barriers, build confidence, and develop sustainable leadership practices that align with their values and strengths.

Amanda’s groundbreaking PhD research (completed in 2023) revealed critical insights into what holds women back from leadership roles and, more importantly, what enables them to thrive. Her research on embodied leadership and women’s experiences has been featured in NewsHub, The Press, The Dominion Post, NewsTalkZB, RNZ’s The Panel, and highlighted by Global Women and the University of Auckland.

Before completing her PhD, Amanda worked in corporate leadership development for large global and small local businesses, and was recognised globally with an HRNZ award in 2016 for her innovative work in reimagining humanity at work.

Originally from the Kaipara region, Amanda has called Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland home for the last 20 years. She is also a proud parent to one son.

“My biggest challenge was believing I was worthy of a leadership role. I’ve always considered myself a mum first and foremost, and have forged a career to the best of my ability while raising two boys. Amanda took me on a journey through how I view myself, how I treat myself, how I treat others, and how I see my way forward. She was very easy to warm to, and gently prompted many ‘lightbulb moments’. All of which have opened my mind and heart to mental, emotional and physical changes that have had a profound impact on the leader AND mother I want to be. I highly recommend working with Amanda.”

Coaching Client