Barbra Carlisle: Empowering Leaders to Lead Authentically with Impact

Barbra Carlisle

Barbra Carlisle

Barbra Carlisle is an Executive Coach who finds joy in helping others succeed, especially when they are faced with internal or external challenges. Through her coaching, she supports leaders and their teams in building self-awareness, embracing their unique characteristics, and leading authentically. Barbra’s approach centers on empowering individuals to understand themselves and their teams better, fostering environments where people can thrive.

Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I am someone who gets joy out of seeing other people succeed, particularly when they are facing challenges, either internal or external. I support leaders and their teams, including at Board level, to better understand themselves and those around them. For me, it’s about self-awareness, recognizing your brilliance, and being happy with the quirky characteristics we all have that make us unique. Don’t try to hide those differences—embrace them!

I coach and train people to lead authentically with impact.

Tell us about your life before the venture/leading up to your venture?

I have extensive experience in the non-profit, government, and corporate sectors, bringing a vast understanding of different cultures, systems, and workplace behaviors. Reflecting on my career journey, I see someone who was eager to challenge the status quo and create positive change for others. Influencing, negotiating, using logic, and building rapport and trust have all enabled me to make an impact at individual, team, and organizational levels.

Supporting, encouraging, and motivating people to find their voice, lean into their strengths, and be their best has always been central to my work. My final corporate role, leading on Equality, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, highlighted the power of coaching and the profound gift I could give others—helping them empower themselves. This realization led me to set up Glee Coaching in 2022.

Tell us something about your organization. What is it about and how is it helpful for people?

Glee is a coaching business that works with individuals, businesses, and leaders who want to be even better at what they do and recognize that something needs to change to excel—even if they’re not sure what that is.

Initially, we sit down with the client to deep dive into their challenges—what their pain looks like, how it manifests, what they’ve tried, and what happens if they do nothing. We explore their goals and aspirations.

We help leaders think in new ways, become curious about who they are, and understand what influences how they show up as leaders. Our aim is to help them become leaders that people want to connect with.

We offer psychometrics, including the amazing 5 Voices Programme, which focuses on relational intelligence and communication. We also use Emergenetics, which helps people understand their personality traits. We deliver bespoke masterclasses, 5 Voices for Teams programs, and first-line manager training and development.

What has been the response of the consumers towards your venture?

Leaders engaged in the 5 Voices Programme value the clarity it brings in understanding and responding to team dynamics. They learn to accommodate and embrace diversity in the room, achieving higher team performance and employee engagement.

Individuals who come through our coaching programmes appreciate being listened to, having time to think, being compassionately challenged without judgment, and being held accountable for making changes that support their wellbeing and sense of self.

The business has been recognized as a leading coaching firm in the North West of England, and I was honored to be shortlisted as one of the top 15 coaches in Liverpool.

I am a certified coach with the European Mentoring Coaching Council, a member of the Association for Coaching, and I hold a Master’s-equivalent qualification in Executive Coaching and Mentoring for Business.

How has your life changed because of your venture?

I am in control like never before. The joy I feel every morning, knowing that everything I do that day is my choice—who I connect with, what I prioritize, and how I use my creativity and innovation to build a business that attracts people to work with me—is something I truly value.

Knowing that I can use my coaching skills to empower people every week is a real gift to me. Naturally, there are hard parts to running a business, but as long as I’m playing to my strengths 70% of the time, I find I have the energy and drive to tackle the 30% that’s less natural for me, like administrative tasks!

What are you working on right now?

Currently, I’m working with clients on delivering 6- and 12-month 5 Voices Programmes for Teams. This involves assessing each team member’s natural leadership voice and working through leadership development modules. The team comes together monthly in group coaching sessions to explore and share their learning.

I always have a number of pro bono clients, and I actively volunteer for causes that are close to my heart.

Podcasting is my latest personal challenge. It was daunting at first, but I am surprisingly enjoying myself!

Give a motivational message for the audience/women who are reading this.

Your brain will run the programme you give it.

Visualization, acceptance of your quirkiness, positive affirmations, and manifestations all play into creating a new programme for your brain. A programme that says, “I can do this! I will do this! And I can’t wait to excel at doing this!”

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