Jo Gage
“I coach to grow self-belief and leadership capacity in everyone who wants to make a difference.”
Jo Gage
Coach, Team Coach and Facilitator at Brilliant Leaders
I grew up as a sensitive, working-class kid with a passion for equality and justice. I was lucky to have some significant development opportunities that enhanced my self-belief and enabled me to take on leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector.
I’ve led teams, delivered large-scale change programmes, facilitated and challenged boards, coached Chief Execs, run leadership retreats, worked with young people and helped teams in conflict.
I’ve enjoyed working across multiple sectors: charity, local government, housing, NHS and universities. Through these experiences, I have developed the skills and confidence to navigate complex leadership issues and dynamics in a wide variety of settings.
My approach to coaching and facilitation
People describe me as warm, insightful, challenging, light-hearted and action oriented. You will feel a strong sense of my belief in you. I will give you space and help you dig into what you really want and need, and unpack the leadership approaches you need to get there.
I will support you to understand and make use of your strengths. I am also not afraid of helping you reflect on where your thinking might be getting in your way. We can explore together what might be a more helpful way of framing things. I challenge with kindness, because that is one of my core values.
I have a lot of leadership tools and techniques in my toolkit having done lots of learning myself including two Masters degrees - one in People and Organisational Development and the other in Positive Psychology and Coaching. This deep learning informs my approach and helps you get right under the surface of what is going on.
I have been working in and with a wide variety of organisations for over 20 years and bring a strong understanding of organisational politics, power dynamics, change management and culture to my work. I support you to be strategic and influential in your own approach.
The worlds I know well
I lead people and organisational development initiatives in local government alongside freelance work, which has given me insight into multiple sectors.
Previously, I spent 11 years at Cancer Research UK, one of the UK’s largest charities. Based in London, I worked across all aspects of fundraising, marketing and communications before becoming Head of Leadership and Development, responsible for the development of the charity’s 4000 employees.
In my spare time, I volunteer in local secondary schools, supporting young people with confidence, interview skills and careers advice.
I am a Mum too and do yoga several times a week to look after myself.
I’m based in Folkestone, in Kent in the UK and support leaders and teams across the UK and beyond.