Own Terms
Coaching · Career Direction · Leadership Development
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Coaching for the leap you're already thinking about.

Own Terms is a coaching practice for people rethinking how work fits into their life, whether that's a career change, a leadership step up, or building something of your own.

Hi, I'm Harriet

Harriet Connolly, EMCC accredited career and leadership coach based in London

I coach people navigating the same kinds of decisions I've made myself: what to leave, what to build, and how to do it deliberately.

We've all had those times where we feel stuck, our social media feed is making us feel behind or overwhelmed, and we just need an objective person to discuss our next steps. This is where a coach can create the space you need to spot patterns in your goals and think through obstacles with someone who challenges your assumptions. I've been on the other side of that relationship myself, working with a coach who noticed the excuses I was telling myself, the obstacles I was brushing over and the skills that I was downplaying, in a space that felt genuinely safe, like a kind observer who was on my side and wanted me to succeed. If this sounds like the kind of support you need right now and you want to make a change in your life, I'd love to hear from you.

Alongside coaching, I've spent over a decade in leadership development, DEI, and large-scale programme delivery within global professional services and tech events companies, building and leading teams, and designing programmes. I have trained as a Mental Health First Aider and have always had a keen interest in creating environments and initiatives where everyone feels included.

EMCC EIA Accredited Coach Korn Ferry ESCI Debrief Coach MHFA England

EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council) is the leading professional body setting standards for coaching accreditation.

Harriet Connolly

Coaching areas

How I can help

Three areas clients most often bring to coaching. Most conversations touch more than one.

Career transitions

Moving on from a role, a redundancy, or a career that no longer fits, with a clear plan for what's next.

Leadership development

Practical, grounded coaching for people stepping into bigger leadership roles or finding their own style of it.

Building a portfolio career

Structuring multiple income streams and priorities into a working life that's sustainable, not scattered.

My approach

How coaching sessions actually work

Grounded in the EMCC framework, adapted to what you actually need.

My practice is built on the European Mentoring and Coaching Council's (EMCC) coaching competency framework. This means we start by agreeing what you can expect from me as your coach, and agreeing our expectations for your session or wider coaching journey.

From there, we can either shape the session around a core focus or priority you already have, or use reflective activities to work out which area of your life or professional life would be most beneficial to explore. I use the GROW framework (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) to work through your key priority: I'll ask questions to challenge your thinking, listen closely to your responses, and notice patterns, so you leave the session with a concrete next step. The main purpose of this style of coaching is that you find the solution or approach that best suits you, I won't tell you exactly what to do.

Within a longer coaching journey, or when I'm working as part of a leadership programme or coaching course, I bring in more structured tools like values and strengths exercises, and reflective frameworks drawn from my own background in leadership development and DEI programme design. Which tools show up, and how much structure a session has, always depends on the nature of the topic and the desired outcome.

Pricing

Ways to work together

Start with a free 15-minute call to talk through what you're working on and whether coaching together is the right fit.

Exploratory call
A no-obligation conversation to see if we're a good fit. 15 minutes.
Free
Book a call
Single session
A focused, one-off session for a specific challenge or decision. 1 hour.
£300
Book a session
4-session package
For working through a defined goal or transition over a few months. £250 per session, used within 6 months.
£1,000
Buy package
6-session package
For sustained work on leadership development or a longer-term change. £250 per session, used within 6 months.
£1,500
Buy package

All sessions run virtually over video call. A link is sent when you book.

What clients say

In their own words

For years I knew I wanted a career change, but I'm naturally risk-averse, so it felt out of reach, especially with so much experience tied up in my previous career. Harriet had a way of asking the hard questions, the ones that pushed me to be vulnerable and actually confront what I wanted instead of what felt safe. Combined with her practical, actionable approach, which helped me build real confidence, I now have genuine clarity on the direction I want to take and am already seeing progress, which felt completely out of reach when I started.

Artist and Architect

What I really liked about working with Harriet as my coach is her calm, non-judgemental nature, gentle challenges and confidence in me. It makes you believe anything is possible.

International Project Manager, Tech Events

Life is hectic and we are all trying our best. Finding a coach you get on well with and committing to a dedicated cluster of sessions to think through your next steps and have someone challenge your assumptions is worth its weight in gold. If you are on the fence - just go for it! You will love Harriet.

Senior Producer, Advertising

I'm so grateful for the support and guidance Harriet gave me as I worked towards my goal of moving from policy work in the Civil Service to securing my first posting overseas as a British Diplomat. She helped me build confidence, recognise my strengths and believe in what I could achieve. I couldn't recommend her more highly!

British Diplomat
For organisations

Coaching and consulting for teams

For companies investing in how their people lead, decide, and grow.

Leadership coaching cohorts

One-to-one or small-group coaching for managers and senior leaders, run alongside or as part of an internal leadership programme.

ESCI 360 debriefs

Korn Ferry ESCI-based debriefs that turn 360 feedback into a grounded, practical development plan rather than a report that sits in a drawer.

DEI or Inclusive leadership consulting and workshops

Drawing on a decade in DEI and large-scale programme delivery, for organisations building more inclusive leadership and engagement from the ground up.

Every engagement is scoped to the organisation, get in touch to talk through what you need.

Get started

Book a call

Pick a time below for a free exploratory call.

Common questions

Is coaching right for you?

What's a common scenario for your individual clients?

A few patterns come up again and again. Feeling stuck between staying where you are and figuring out what comes next. Knowing you want to make a change but not knowing where to start. Feeling like you've lost some confidence following long-term leave or a redundancy, and wanting to rebuild it. Being a high performer who wants to think through what getting to your next position actually looks like. Or simply facing a specific challenge at work and wanting an external, honest sounding board to think it through.

Who are your typical clients for individual coaching?

Recently it's been a mix of corporate professionals looking to develop or address a problem, people who are feeling dissatisfied in their current role and want to consider their options, young professionals looking to grow, and senior leaders assessing their leadership approach.