Dr Stephen Harte

Qualifications

• Advanced Experiential Coach programme ILM Level 7 equivalent (Executive Business & Personal Coach)
• Internal Family Systems Therapy Level 1 (2021)
• McStravick Institute of Coaching (2014); Member of Association for Coaching (2014)
• Theological Personal Development and Mentoring, Richmond Upon-Thames College (2005); Masters in Clinical Education (with commendation) researching coaching of doctors for excellence in leadership, Queens University Belfast (2015)
• Mini-MBA, William Cliniton Leadership Institute, Queens University Belfast (2019)
• Schwartz rounds facilitator, Point of Care Foundation (2022).

About me

Based in Northern Ireland, I am delighted to offer a bespoke executive coaching service in person or by zoom for those further afield. I can offer sessions as a one-off for those with a key decision to make, or as part of a longer process of personal development.

I am a GP who is football loving, gig attending, and a little bit addicted to travel. Besides general practice and executive coaching, I am a GP specialty training Programme Director, and Clinical Teaching Fellow for undergraduate medical education at Queens University Belfast. 

I find the most effective times for coaching are:

1. Any career grade or seniority during periods of transition (new department, new role, new culture).
2. When feeling ‘stuck’ in behaviours or with a particular decision-making process.
3. When people are just seeking to do it better - personal/leadership development, inter-personal skills, team-working, career progression, breaking through repetitive or destructive patterns, becoming aware of blind spots etc.

Coaching process

I have a fun and creative approach to coaching that is centred on getting the results that people desire. I love it because I often get to witness people experiencing breakthrough in their perceived barriers or difficulties. My sense is that a lot of us medics could benefit from reconnecting with the passion that got us here in the first place, discovering again the way we are wired and how to use this to bring the best into our working lives.

Standards

I have an evidence-based approach to coaching, with rigorous academic and research experience. This was demonstrated by completing a Masters dissertation in which the intervention involved coaching of senior medical professionals towards excellence in leadership. A short coaching programme was created and then assessed to see what really worked.  The result for clients was a mind-set shift concerning leadership where doctors grew in self-efficacy by recognising their strengths and transferable skills. Clear shifts were identified in four key areas of leadership: courage (e.g. delegation, conflict management, appropriate assertiveness, and challenging defensive medical decision-making), passion (e.g. experimental attitude, creativity, self-compassion, positivity, stress reduction, reframing ‘failure’, resilience), impact (e.g. time management, effectiveness, action planning, pro-activity), and vision (e.g. understanding personal values, culture creation). 

I am a member of the Association for Coaching and adhere to their ethical code of practice (regular CPD, indemnity, attend coaching supervision, standard confidentiality etc).

My principle aim is to help empower people to decide what they really want and how they might take action towards their goals. Ultimately my desire is to see people affecting the system and culture in which they work so that ripples of their own development would have wider impact, leading to a positive effect on their teams and patients. 

What I can offer you

“I was fortunate to do some individual coaching sessions with Stephen personally prior to taking up my current role. I found his work exceptionally helpful and can attest to his skills and knowledge as a coach. His approachable style and interpersonal skills were excellent, and I am still benefitting from his work. Stephen has also performed some group sessions through educational organisations such as NIMDTA and RCGPNI. These have been of high quality and have been highly valued by participants”.  Dr Laurence Dorman, Chair, Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland

‘‘If you are wanting to develop your leadership skills, I would without question recommend Stephen Harte. I had a number of leadership coaching skills sessions with him, and found that he was highly professional and easy to communicate with. He spent time understanding my perspectives and my learning goals, and supported me in developing my skills. Without hesitation I would recommend Stephen.’ Professor Gerry Gormley, Centre for Medical Education, Queens University Belfast    

"I work as a GP and am in the process of making a decision regarding the direction of my career. At the time when I embarked on the life coaching session I felt stuck in a rut regarding making a decision and was feeling progressively more frustrated with myself. I found Dr Harte very easy to talk to and felt I was able to talk openly. I felt it was good to talk to a fellow medic as I knew he would appreciate some of the difficulties I was having. I felt Dr Harte gave honest feedback and I appreciated his honesty. The coaching session helped me to look at the bigger picture and helped to reassess my core values in life. The realisation that to move forward was a process was very useful to me personally.  I have put things in place to help me move forward and am no longer feeling frustrated. I felt the coaching session was very beneficial”. GP

“Dr Harte is also a highly respected and recommended Coach particularly in the field of health care… His expertise in personal and professional development is of an extremely high calibre with a motivational and direct communicative style. This ensures the client achieves a result but using high challenge and coaching support throughout… I have no hesitation in recommending Dr Harte in his coaching expertise and repertoire”  Leah McStravick, CEO - McStravick Institute of Coaching