My Coach Joanna - My Coach Joanna

I work with Further Education leaders to achieve ultimate career fulfilment.

You don’t have to stay where you are. Whether you’re at a career crossroads, craving more meaning in your work, or ready to lead differently – I’ll help you figure out what matters and what’s next.

My Coach Joanna - Joanna Stokes, leadership and career coach

I’m Joanna Stokes – career and leadership coach

Based in Marske-by-the-Sea, I work with people who want to make work work better for them. I’m straight-talking, supportive, and practical. My coaching is rooted in values: honesty, clarity, empowerment, growth, and freedom. I help you get clear, take action, and move forward – in your own way, on your own terms.

I’m a Professional Certified Coach (ICF PCC), DISC accredited, and a licensed Firework Career Coach. After 25 years in Further Education, including senior leadership roles and time as an Ofsted Inspector – I know the pressures of public service and leadership inside out.

Find Out More

Today is not just another day. It’s a new opportunity.

Who I Help

Experienced Professionals at a Career Crossroads

You’ve given decades to your role, but lately you’re asking, is this it? If you’re ready to rethink what the next phase of work could look like, I’ll help you make space to explore, reflect, and move forward with clarity.

Values-Driven Leaders Seeking Authenticity

You’re good at what you do but tired of leadership that feels performative or out of sync with your values. Coaching offers a space to lead in a way that feels real – with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

Middle Managers in People-Focused Roles

You want to support your team well, but some days it feels like firefighting with no hose. Coaching helps you grow the confidence, skills, and boundaries to lead in a way that works. For them and for you.

Professionals Exploring a More Purposeful Path

Your work isn’t a disaster, but it’s no longer a fit and you’re not sure what comes next. Whether it’s a role change or a total shift, coaching helps you get clear on your direction and how to move forward.

Forward-Thinking Organisations Seeking Leadership Development

You know your managers need support but not another generic training day. My coaching and workshops are bespoke to you and designed to reflect the real pressures of leadership and build skills that actually stick.

How I Can Help

Career Crossroads

Coaching for individuals ready to rethink their working life

Leadership Coaching

One-to-one support for managers and aspiring leaders

DISC Workshops

Team development with practical tools to boost morale and communication

CV & LinkedIn Coaching

Show up clearly and confidently

See All Services

Stop holding yourself back.
If you’re not happy, make a change.

Not sure where to start? Let’s talk.

Book a free consultation – no pressure, just a proper conversation.

What my clients say

Really positive experience with Joanna in both 1:1's and the group sessions of 20+. I would highly recommend.

James Butterfield

I came to coaching as I was lacking motivation and felt unproductive at work. The sessions with Joanna helped me explore what I wanted from my career and boosted my productivity, which was great. More importantly the sessions gave me an opportunity to reflect more consciously about my future and how my previous experiences could…

Nicola Richards

Joanna is wonderful to work with. She has a valuable gift in absorbing what you say and mirroring that back to you in a way to help you understand challenges. Her support in overcoming those challenges has been immensely helpful and she has given me tools that I can apply to all aspects of work…

Louise Kindleyside

Working with Joanna has been an eye-opening experience. Thanks to Joanna’s guidance, I now feel truly empowered.

Ester Montaner

I found the sessions I had with Joanna to be really insightful. I came away from each session with a clearer perspective than when I went in.

Claire Hankey

Insights

Create your ideal day with the Perfect Day worksheet

5 questions to ask your partner before you apply for senior leadership

You’ve been thinking about that VP role for months. You know you could do it. You know you want it. But every time you imagine the conversation with your partner, your stomach tightens. So instead of being direct, you test the water. “There might be a restructure coming up.” “Do you think I could do…

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Many women in FE avoid networking because it feels like cold calling or awkward breakfasts at dawn, but building your network is really about meaningful connections. Here’s how to grow a strong, genuine network that supports your move into senior leadership, without the hard sell.

The 5 emergencies that never happened – what I learnt as a single mum in senior leadership

When I was a single mum working in Further Education, I almost didn’t apply for a senior leadership role because I was convinced family life and leadership couldn’t mix. I imagined endless crises, guilt, and judgement. The reality turned out to be very different — and taught me that the biggest barriers weren’t practical at…

Reinventing your career. Image of lots of pebbles with a question mark in the middle

Reinventing your career: Building on what you already have

When we talk about reinventing your career, it’s easy to think it means starting over. But reinvention is rarely about wiping the slate clean. Looking back at my three careers – catering, further education, and now coaching – I can see the same thread running through them all. Reinvention is really about building on what…

The confidence paradox; mirror reflection of a cat

The confidence paradox: why chasing it won't make you a better leader

Many leaders believe confidence is something you can learn, but chasing it often leaves you feeling like an impostor. Real, authentic confidence comes when you stop performing and start discovering who you are as a leader. This is the confidence paradox: when your self-awareness and self-belief grow, confidence follows naturally.

How to change career when you feel stuck in the fear zone

Feeling stuck in your career? This article breaks down the four-zone model—comfort, fear, learning, and growth—and offers practical tips to overcome doubts and take that essential first step. Discover small, actionable ways to move from fear to growth and start building the career you truly deserve.