Tomorrow, 5^th May, should have been my father’s 80^th birthday. He died 9 years ago but not a day goes by when I don’t feel his influence. He had a great calmness and was, without question, the best listener I have ever spoken to. In conversation with him, his focus was complete, his concentration unbroken.

That’s not all there is to say about him – I could go on for days singing his praises but this is not the place for that. Suffice to say, one of the most helpful skills a life coach can develop is to listen completely and to hear everything their client says. Now I am coaching I am constantly striving to improve that skill and I know it all began with those conversations with my father. I am hugely lucky and equally grateful.