From Competence to Confidence: Deepening Coaching Practice with ILM Level 7

Name: Dave Christie
Role: Business Coach, Mentor & Leadership Trainer
Organisation: Cheshire Business Coaching
Programme(s): ILM Level 7 Coaching & Mentoring

Dave Christie, a seasoned Business Coach, Mentor, and Leadership Trainer, had already built a thriving practice through Cheshire Business Coaching. Working with small business owners, senior professionals, and leadership teams, his focus was on helping people lead with clarity, accountability, and a stronger sense of self.

But even with a wealth of experience behind him, Dave reached a point where he knew something needed to shift. He wasn’t looking for another qualification. He was looking for growth — real, measurable, and deeply felt.

“I knew I was helping people — but I also knew I could go deeper. I didn’t want to plateau. I wanted to challenge myself.”

The Turning Point

Dave’s coaching was already impactful, but he began to sense the edges of his comfort zone. There were moments where he left sessions knowing he’d been too gentle, or hadn’t quite helped a client reach the insight just beneath the surface. It wasn’t a lack of knowledge — it was a desire to refine his craft, to elevate how he worked with senior leaders, and to show up with even greater confidence and presence.

When a trusted contact recommended Agile Group, Dave was intrigued. What stood out immediately was the tone of the first conversation — practical, reflective, and refreshingly human. This wasn’t a place for hoop-jumping or box-ticking. It was a place to stretch, to reflect, and to grow with intention.

“Agile spoke my language. From the start, I knew this was about development, not just delivery.”

The Learning Journey

Dave enrolled on the ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, seeking a programme that would challenge him both intellectually and personally. The structure offered the flexibility to continue running his business, but the content and facilitation didn’t shy away from depth.

Sessions with Agile Group weren’t simply instructional — they were developmental. Facilitators didn’t just teach; they coached, questioned, and held space for participants to step up. Dave particularly valued the calibre of the peer learning environment, which allowed him to engage with diverse perspectives and receive feedback that felt both honest and constructive.

“It never felt like training. It felt like transformation. The space was both safe and stretching — exactly what I needed.”

Through the programme, Dave began to adopt a more deliberate coaching presence. He slowed down his interventions, held silence with confidence, and offered challenge in a way that felt balanced and authentic. He didn’t just deepen his knowledge of coaching frameworks — he became more intentional in how and when to use them. Reflective practice became a cornerstone of his approach, allowing him to notice patterns, adapt more consciously, and raise the consistency of his delivery.

A Shift in Impact

The effect on Dave’s practice was immediate and visible. Clients began achieving their goals more quickly — often in three to five sessions instead of the usual six to eight. His ability to hold deeper, more courageous conversations meant people reached the heart of their challenges sooner and stayed there longer.

His feedback scores from team workshops rose sharply, averaging 9s and 10s for clarity, emotional impact, and constructive challenge — up from a previous average of 7.5. Perhaps most importantly, Dave experienced a 25% increase in repeat clients, particularly among senior leaders and leadership teams who were seeking more than surface-level support.

“I show up differently now — calmer, more intentional, and more willing to hold the tension. That shift has been felt by my clients, and the results speak for themselves.”

New Horizons

Completing the programme didn’t mark an endpoint for Dave — it became a launchpad. With a stronger sense of coaching identity, he’s now moving further into strategic work with senior teams, and focusing on embedding coaching into organisational culture. He’s also begun mentoring other coaches, drawing on the reflective tools and rigour he developed with Agile.

The experience has reframed what Dave expects from professional development — and what he expects from himself.

“This programme raised the bar. And now I bring that bar into everything I do.”

Looking ahead, Dave is interested in exploring systemic coaching and supervision, as well as programmes that focus on creating sustainable coaching cultures inside organisations. He sees his journey with Agile as far from over.

Final Reflections

What stood out most for Dave was the integrity of the learning environment. Agile Group balanced stretch and support without ever losing sight of the person behind the practitioner. As someone with dyslexia, he also deeply appreciated the tailored support he received — not as a special favour, but as a standard of care.

“They never made it feel like a problem. Just part of the process. That gave me the space to focus on learning, not on worrying.”

When asked whether he’d recommend Agile Group, Dave’s answer is unequivocal:

“Absolutely. Especially for experienced professionals who don’t just want to tick a box — but want to truly evolve. This is where you go if you want real development that sticks.”