Coaching for engineers
Nobody taught you this part of the job.
1:1 coaching for engineers on communication, influence and managing up. I'm an engineering leader who has coached hundreds of engineers through all sorts of problems and helped many of them get promoted.
Expensing this? Here's what you can send your boss.
Does any of this sound familiar?
- In performance reviews, you keep hearing that your technical skills aren't the issue, and that communication is what's holding you back.
- You spent weeks preparing for an architecture review, and the conversation went sideways in the first five minutes.
- You raised risks in planning that later turned into real problems. But instead of a thank you, the feedback you got was that you came off as combative, negative or blocking.
- Your 1:1s are mostly status updates, and nobody above your manager seems to know what you're working on.
Price
Coaching package
$450 CAD
for three sessions
Book an intro call (opens in new tab)Start with a free 15-minute call to see if it's a fit.
- Pre-session questionnaire
- Three 30-minute 1:1 video sessions, at least two weeks apart
- An itemised invoice for professional development reimbursement
- Full refund if it's not right for you after the first session
If you're from an underrepresented group in tech and your employer paying isn't an option, I'm happy to discuss sliding scale rates. Please don't let the price stop you from reaching out.
Send this to your boss!
Many companies cover coaching from a professional development or learning budget, and you'll get an itemised invoice to submit. Not sure how to ask? Here's a message you can adapt:
Hi [Manager], I'd like to use my professional development budget for a short coaching program with Kristen Spencer, an engineering leader who coaches engineers on visibility, influence and communicating with stakeholders. It's three 1:1 sessions over six to twelve weeks, for $450 CAD. It ties directly to [my last review feedback / my growth goals], specifically [presenting technical proposals clearly / influencing decisions across teams / communicating with stakeholders]. We'll work through situations I'm facing, without sharing any company materials. Afterward, I'm happy to share what I learned and anything useful for the team. Thanks, [Name]
Questions
How do I get started?
We'll have a 15-minute call to assess mutual fit. If you want to move forward, I'll send you an invoice, and we'll go from there.
What do we actually work on?
It depends on you. We'll suss out the best problem to focus on during the 15-minute call, and before we start I'll send you a questionnaire so I understand what tools and resources you have access to. Most often we dig into something specific that's coming up: a big presentation, positioning yourself for the next performance review cycle, or getting better at stakeholder communication, like working better with your PM. It's completely personalized to the problems you bring me.
Will I get an invoice my company will accept?
Yes. It has my name, your details and the amount paid, and lists the program as professional development. If your company needs it addressed differently, email me and I'll sort it out.
What if my problem isn't strictly about communication?
It usually is, underneath. Not getting feedback, unclear expectations, being passed over, friction with another team: most of it comes down to how information and expectations move between people. If what you're dealing with is outside what I can help with, I'll tell you on our intro call.
I'm not in Canada. Can I still work with you?
Yes. I work with people anywhere in the world over video. Pricing is in Canadian dollars because that's where I'm based.
What if I need to reschedule?
You can reschedule any session with at least 24 hours' notice. Sessions are at least two weeks apart, and all three should be completed within three months of paying your invoice.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. If you decide after our first session that this isn't right for you, I'll refund the full amount.