Welcome
Professional career coaching with an edge
A new, no-nonsense approach to coaching
WHAT IS THE Cynical Coach ALL ABOUT?
Principles & approach
Outcomes you can expect
Outcomes you can expect
- Trust & credibility
- Discretion & professionalism
- Clear outcomes
- Time efficient engagement
Whether you suffer from imposter syndrome, burnout, poor work-life balance, fear of speaking up, fear of public engagements, low visiblity or an inability to progress, I work through issues organically, so that you can find your impact and unique leader
- Trust & credibility
- Discretion & professionalism
- Clear outcomes
- Time efficient engagement
Whether you suffer from imposter syndrome, burnout, poor work-life balance, fear of speaking up, fear of public engagements, low visiblity or an inability to progress, I work through issues organically, so that you can find your impact and unique leadership style while maintaining authenticity.
My approach is solutions-focused and pragmatic: I focus clients' energy and reflections on the future, on how issues can be fixed and what specific steps they can take to help themselves. This forward-looking method helps people focus on the journey ahead and feel like they’re making tangible progress.
There is nothing cheesy or cringe-worthy about what I do. It's straight-talking coaching to help you work through the most intractable issues - in a supportive yet pragramtic and energising way.
Outcomes you can expect
Outcomes you can expect
Outcomes you can expect
- More confidence, influence, and presence at work
- Success navigating authority, visibility, and boundaries
- Greater clarity in your decision-making
- Identifying a leadership style and approach that feels right for you
- Better work-life balance
- Improvement in managing up / down
- Fewer conflicts at work and greater ability to manage those that are in
- More confidence, influence, and presence at work
- Success navigating authority, visibility, and boundaries
- Greater clarity in your decision-making
- Identifying a leadership style and approach that feels right for you
- Better work-life balance
- Improvement in managing up / down
- Fewer conflicts at work and greater ability to manage those that are inevitable
- Focus on transitions (career progression, career change, promotion, return from parental leave, secondment, etc.)
Is this for you?
Outcomes you can expect
Is this for you?
There are many coaches out there and you have to feel confident that we would be the right fit for you.
You can schedule a no-obligation 15-minute ‘chemistry call’ where we can discuss your needs and you can decide whether what I offer might suit you or not.
I tend to do most of my coaching work around lunchtime, in the evenings, and week
There are many coaches out there and you have to feel confident that we would be the right fit for you.
You can schedule a no-obligation 15-minute ‘chemistry call’ where we can discuss your needs and you can decide whether what I offer might suit you or not.
I tend to do most of my coaching work around lunchtime, in the evenings, and weekends to suit busy working professionals.
If you have any questions, please contact us via the form below.
You can generally expect a response within 48 hours.
Should you decide to follow-through, you will receive a Coaching Agreement, which simply sets out the Terms & Conditions that underpin my services, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
About The Cynical Coach
My name is Ilaria and I am a fully qualified coach with nearly 20 years’ experience supporting individuals on their leadership and career journeys.
As a senior civil servant, trade negotiator, and diplomat in various UK government ministries and countries, I have navigated complex systems, challenging power dynamics and difficult working environments.
I have almost always found myself at the intersection between the public and the private sector - acting as a bridge between the two. My experience might therefore appeal particuarly to those in public sector-facing corporate roles or those in government departments / Arms Length Bodies / regulatory and other agencies.
I have been particularly effective in coaching early and mid-career professionals, but I am flexible and open to considering anyone who thinks I might be a good fit for them regardless.
Coaching is, after all, an approach that lends itself to a wide variety of people and contexts.
During challenging periods like Brexit and Covid, I have learned how to motivate diverse, dispersed teams in contentious circumstances and became passionate about helping others do the same. I enjoy supporting others develop their own resilience and agility in adverse circumstances.
Although I am a social introvert by nature, I have cultivated the skills and self-confidence to become a natural public speaker and enjoy supporting others in overcoming their fears and self-limiting beliefs. None of this in a cheesy / cringe way!