Hello,

I’m Jean Balfour!

I coach, teach and build community for ambitious professionals who lead, or are ready to, so they can grow their careers and enjoy work again.

I’m a Master Certified Coach (one of only 4% of coaches globally), Founder of Flourish, and Founder of Bailey Balfour, a global coach training academy. 

I’ve worked with thousands of leaders and professionals and have over 5,000 hours of one-to-one coaching experience.

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My mission is to transform our experience of work, one person, one career at a time.

In my 25+ year career, I’ve worked across industries and geographies, coaching at the top of the house of the world’s leading organisations. I’ve facilitated team coaching and designed and delivered leadership development programmes at every level. I teach leaders how to coach and build a coaching culture, and I founded and led a global ICF coach accreditation company.

I’ve also held senior executive roles, been a non-executive director and chaired a not-for-profit.

I believe we need people at work who are relational, self-aware and emotionally resilient. People who lead well, whatever their title.

And I know how hard that can be, because I’ve been there.

I too have lain awake at night worrying about a difficult colleague, a decision I’d made, or whether I was good enough for the role.

How did I get here?

I started out as a primary school teacher in New Zealand, with very little ambition.

In my late twenties I began serious personal development, therapy, a mentor a coach and every book I could fine. Something shifted. I found an ambition that had been buried under low self-esteem. 

I moved into healthcare in London and rose quickly, becoming a young senior leader on the executive team of a large organisation.

From the outside, I seemed to be at the peak of my career. Inside, I often felt uncertain, overwhelmed and held back by self-doubt. 

When I reached that first executive role, the pressure mounted and I realised I needed to go deeper with the inner work. What followed were years of coaching, training, study, therapy, mindfulness and personal inquiry, which continue to this day. 

I’ve worked on my own triggers, limiting beliefs, confidence and imposter syndrome.

The biggest shift? I stopped being a victim and blaming my organisation and my boss, and I took ownership of my career. That’s when it really took off. 

And I can honestly say my life is rich, happy, fulfilling and joyful because of it.

 

In my mid-thirties I noticed my happiest moments at work were coaching and facilitating people across the organisation. So I left corporate life to set up on my own. 

The rest, they say, is history!

Today, I’m honoured to walk alongside ambitious professionals as they grow their careers, lead with confidence and enjoy work again.

In the 25 years since, I’ve worked with thousands of people, from banking and professional services to healthcare, education and tech, across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. 

Having lived and worked in New Zealand, London and Singapore, I’ve seen first-hand the complications of working across culture, time zone and market. 

I’m hungry for learning and growth. I read extensively and am always good for a book recommendation. 

I continue to invest in my own development through regular supervision, ongoing training, reflective practice and research. 

The Results of my Clients.

The people I work with are brilliant, driven and successful. On the outside, they seem to have it all together.

Inside, many feel stuck, anxious, stretched too thin or unsure where their career is heading. 

Some doubt themselves. Some have lost sight of what matters. Others are worn down by difficult relationships at work. What they share is ambition, and a sense that something is getting in the way.

Over 25 years, I’ve helped people grow across the four pillars of a flourishing career.

Purpose and Direction: rediscover what matters and make values-based career choices

Identity and Confidence: quiet the inner critic and stop second-guessing themselves

Relationships and Influence: navigate organisational politics and difficult conversations, and build trust and presence

Resilience and Recovery: build boundaries and handle pressure without burning out

Stepping up: prepare for promotion, recover from tough feedback, or lead through change with clarity and calm

Most importantly, they become people who flourish at work, and you deserve it too.

 

Here’s Your Next Action.

There are two ways to work with me. Join Flourish for teaching, group coaching and community. Or, if you’d like one-to-one support, book a free call so we can explore:

  • your biggest challenges at work right now, whether that’s your team, your boss, or your next career move
  • your one next step, and whether coaching is right for you
Jean Balfour

Master Certified Coach, Leadership Coach and Founder of Flourish

 

Professional Background

Master Certified Coach (MCC) – International Coaching Federation (2021)

Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coach (2016)

Ashridge Accredited Executive Coach (2012)

Master's in Organisational Consulting, Hult Ashridge Executive Education (2010)

Dimensions Personality Assessment (Talent Q) (2013)

Hogan Assessment Certified Practitioner (2012)

MBTI® Certified Practitioner – Step I™ & Step II™, Global (2009)

FIRO® Certified Practitioner (2005)