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Abounding Solutions was created by me, Carol Stewart, when I was faced with redundancy after many years as a Senior Leader and decided to pursue my passion for developing and empowering people.

I had always used a coaching leadership style and over the years used coaching to develop individuals and teams so it only seemed natural when leaving employment to start my own coaching business doing what I was passionate about.

I am a Coaching Psychologist – Executive, Career and Leadership Coach, Speaker, Facilitator and Author of Quietly Visible: Leading With Influence and Impact as an Introverted Woman.  I also host the Quietly Visible podcast.

Why a coach for introverted women leaders?

There is an unfavourable bias towards introversion in the corporate environment and it is often the case that she who shouts loudest is the one that gets heard, gets the recognition, and gets ahead. The quieter ones often getting overlooked. Being introverted myself, I remember the challenges I had in my leadership journey, and a few years after starting my coaching business I started writing about the challenges that introverted women face as leaders.

I was inundated with messages, comments on my articles, and emails from introverted women (and men) from across the globe, sharing their stories of unfavourable treatment with me. Some of which were quite shocking. I decided to make introversion an area of speciality and to change the narrative about it.

Add to this the gender inequalities that still exist at senior levels is why I specialise in this. However, I don’t just work with introverted women; I work with people who are extraverted, as well as men.

Introverted women leaders and Black women leaders, and leaders from other underrepresented groups who want a career coach, leadership coach, or executive coach resonate with me because of my lived experience.

Awards and accomplishments

I bring to Abounding Solutions a wealth of talent, coaching, and leadership experience gained over the past 25-plus years. I was named one of Britain’s Top 50 Business Advisers in 2015 by Enterprise Nation; a LinkedIn Top Voice UK in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, and in 2022 named a LinkedIn Top Voice for gender equity, and in 2023  on the amalgamation of LinkedIn’s Top Voices and Influencer programmes, she was awarded a LinkedIn blue badge; a We Are The City, Rising Star Champion in 2018 for her work helping women to develop as leaders.

 

In 2023, I was added to the Northern Power Women, Power List, which recognises trailblazers who challenge the norm and shift the dial towards a more equitable world for women in work; listed as a Top 32 Business Influencer by Business Leader Magazine; and was the winner of an Inspirational Woman Award at the 18th Wise Women Awards.  In 2024, I was listed on the Inclusive Awards, Diversity Power List, which highlights the prominent and crucial contributions across diversity, equity, and inclusion from influential trailblazers.

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Typical coaching results

Results my clients have achieved working with me as their coach include:-

  • Securing c-suite positions
  • Promotion to Head of Learning and Organisational Development
  • Promotion to Director
  • Leading through Change
  • Increased Influence and Impact
  • Increased leadership effectiveness
  • Developing resilience
  • Managing stress
  • Increased self-confidence
  • Overcoming imposter syndrome, perfectionism and other self-limiting beliefs
  • Confidence at public speaking

Contact me here if you are an introverted woman who is a senior leader (I also coach men and extraverted leaders) and you: 

  • Are frustrated because you’re not having the influence and impact you would like 
  • Or you want to develop executive presence
  • Or you want to raise your profile and visibility
  • Or you want to get promoted 
  • Or your self confidence has taken a hit 
  • Or self-doubt and imposter syndrome stress you out
  • Or you want to make a career transition
  • Or any other challenge, situation or issue not mentioned
  • Or you are a leader and have a woman who is a senior leader on your team who could benefit from my coaching 

Considered to be one of the favourite speakers of the NatWest Group women’s network (which is 12,000+ members strong), my work is said to not only inspire and inform but to transform.

My experience is not only drawn from my studies and the numerous people I have coached over the years, it also stems from my own personal journey.  A journey as someone who as an introvert has overcome issues of low self-confidence, imposter syndrome and feeling that I was not good enough; to excelling in my career from the most junior position in the organisation to that of Senior Manager (and dealing with the pressures and responsibilities that such a role brings), whilst being a single mum; to leaving 28 years of employment, starting my own business and within less than 3 years being named as one of Britain’s top 50 Business Advisers, and a number of other awards since.

I give my time to causes that support the next generation and that advocate social justice, and gender and racial equality.

My Mission

My mission is to change the narrative concerning introversion and to empower and equip women globally to achieve their full potential as leaders, and support leaders to create environments that are inclusive to all, and where EVERYONE feels like they belong and feel psychologically safe.

My Vision

My vision is that ALL women achieve their full potential and become influencers for positive change in their respective fields.

Through a structured, evidence based approach you will be able to identify the areas in which change or improvement is needed. Through this process you will be equipped with the confidence to implement the changes desired.

Qualifications

  • MSc Coaching Psychology from the University of East London comprising: 
    • Evidence Based Coaching
    • Career Coaching
    • Psychological Perspectives of the Self and Others
    • Leadership & Organisational Coaching
    • Research Methods
  • MSc Psychology from the University of East London
  • PG Diploma Management Studies 
  • Certificate in the Pillars of Neuroscience for Coaches and Consultants
  • Certificate in Counselling Skills
  • Institute of Legal Executives Parts 1 and 2
 
Professional Membership
 
  • Member of the Association for Coaching
  • Fellow of the Institute for Leadership and Management
  • Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society

 

Research and Publications