You were brilliant at the technical work. You probably still are. But somewhere along the way, the job changed. Now you are expected to lead people, manage upwards, influence without authority, and deliver results through others — all while the technical problems keep piling up on your desk.
Nobody told you this bit would be so hard. And nobody gave you a manual for it.
You might recognise some of this:
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You feel pulled in every direction and cannot work out what to prioritise
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You are not sure your team fully trusts you yet — or follows your lead the way you had hoped
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Your confidence has taken a knock, even if you would not admit that to many people
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You feel like you are not being heard by the people above you
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You keep defaulting to the technical work because at least that feels solid
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You have wondered, more than once, whether this role is actually right for you
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You are tired in a way that goes beyond just being busy
If any of that landed — you are in exactly the right place. And more importantly: this is not a "you" problem. It is a "transition" problem.
One that the right coaching support can change
Nobody told you this bit would be so hard. And nobody gave you a manual for it.
What Ascent is
Ascent is a specialist coaching programme designed specifically for technical leaders at mid-management level — people who are brilliant at what they do technically, and who are now being asked to lead. It is built around the specific challenges of that transition, not generic leadership theory.
It is delivered by Julia McHugh, who spent 26 years working in IT Service Management in the public sector before becoming a coach. She has sat where you are sitting. She does not need you to explain the world you are operating in — she already knows it.
Sessions are 60 minutes. They are focused, practical, and genuinely impactful — built on a combination of ICF coaching, NLP, and advanced solution-focused approaches. You will leave each session with clarity and something concrete to work with.
What changes
By the end of the programme, leaders typically describe feeling more settled in their identity as a leader — not less technical, but more. More able to use who they are to lead, rather than feeling like leadership is something they have to perform.
Here is what becomes possible:
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You get clear on what actually deserves your attention — and let go of the rest
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You build real trust and buy-in from your team, not just compliance
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Your confidence in your leadership identity becomes less fragile
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You learn how to be heard upwards — and how to make your ideas land
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You stop firefighting and start leading with intention
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You feel energised by your role again, not ground down by it
The Programme
Ascent runs over six months and is funded by your organisation. Below is a summary of the two options — both are designed so that your employer, your line manager, and you are aligned from the start, and your confidentiality is protected throughout.
Foundation Programme — 6 sessions over 6 months
A steady, monthly cadence. Strong for leaders who are preparing for a step up, or newly in post and building their footing.
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An initial chemistry call so you can decide whether Julia is the right fit
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6 x 60-minute sessions, one per month
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Reflection tools and resources between sessions
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Your organisation receives a brief Coaching Mandate at the start and a summary at the close — the coaching conversations themselves remain confidential
Growth Programme — 8 sessions over 6 months
More intensive support, front-loaded for the moments when it matters most. Right for leaders in a difficult patch, or those who want more contact in the early months of a new role.
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An initial chemistry call so you can decide whether Julia is the right fit
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8 x 60-minute sessions — fortnightly in months 1 and 2, monthly thereafter
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Reflection tools and resources between sessions
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A tripartite conversation mid-programme to keep your line manager connected to your progress
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Your organisation receives a brief Coaching Mandate at the start and a summary at the close — the coaching conversations themselves remain confidential
How to take this forward
If this feels like the right support for where you are, the next step is simple: share this document with whoever in your organisation handles learning and development or HR, and ask them to reach out to Julia for a conversation.
You can also contact Julia directly if you would prefer to speak first — she is happy to talk you through whether Ascent is the right fit before anyone else is involved.
This is not about being fixed. You are not broken. It is about getting the support that the transition actually demands — support that most technical leaders never get, and wish they had.
Kitty, Shropshire
I had no idea whether this would work or not but was willing to give anything a go if it would help me achieve my goal (which in my case was doing well in a job interview).
Now I am a total convert! Not only did it boost my confidence for the interview meaning I got the job, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience that relaxed me and I will 100% do it again whenever I need a confidence boost.
Julia is friendly and professional and genuinely makes you feel as though she cares about your unique situation. Highly recommended
Paula, Cheshire
Engineer, industry leader and developer of tomorrow’s engineers
I am not a person who is comfortable asking for help… it is more normal for
people to seek me out to help them…. So accepting help from Julia in working
though my future plans was already a new practice for me. Julia understood!
And it is this understanding and empathy for her clients that is the bedrock
of all that Julia does.
In the space of a day, we had looked at my priorities, the things I
perceived held me back and, most importantly, dealt with and dismissed the
misconceptions and imagined barriers to me achieving what I wanted.
Julia’s expertise means that she is able to tailor sessions to precisely
meet the needs of her clients. Julia listens intently and adjusts the
sessions as she goes, ensuring that clients get the best possible outcomes.
Anyone who comes to Julia with an open mind and a hopeful heart can expect
to leave with a new sense of clarity and purpose and I would unreservedly
recommend her for those, like me, who would more usually ‘do it for
themselves’…. She will help you to harness your potential.
Sean, Yorkshire
IT Service Manager
I’m a northern lad. My career spans Engineering, Construction, IT and Management Training. I’ve worked in both Private and Public Sectors.
I wanted to commit these words to ‘paper’ in order to thank Julia for her time, patience and care in providing me with coaching in both my professional and personal life.
Let me begin by saying Julia is a woman who gets things done! That’s a bold statement and one that can often conjure up images of a bullish personality. However, Julia is far from that. She is relaxed, caring and warm. Julia has a nature that puts you at ease. Just spend 10 minutes speaking to Julia and you’ll find you’re in the presence of someone who is understated, yet with a sublime, innate ability to understand you. She is to the point, yet again, is able to deliver that in such a way as to leave you smiling with the thought: “Ah, she gets it!”.
Julia delivers her coaching in a simple yet comprehensive way, guiding you to the answers you need. Showing you how to take control, how to switch your thoughts from negative to positive and how to make that your habit.
Having worked in various sectors, I can say with experience and without doubt, Julia McHugh is the best…