Much more aware of how much can remain unsaid when people are not given the time to think and respond fully.

This month, we hear from Gillian Hyde. Since graduating from the Mastered programme in 2023, Gillian has integrated coaching more deeply into her work, adopting a more open, reflective way of working with clients. She found real value in learning alongside people from very different professional backgrounds to her own, enriching the overall programme experience.

What were you doing before the Mastered Programme?

I have always been fascinated by people and the differences between them. That curiosity led me into psychology and after a few circuitous twists and turns (along with a false start in criminology) to then becoming a Chartered Occupational Psychologist specialising in assessment.

Before the Mastered Programme, and still today, I am Director and Chief Psychologist at PCL, a boutique business psychology practice. In recent years, my focus has been on assessing personality, values and derailers, particularly in high-stakes selection, leadership development and team effectiveness. Alongside this, I have maintained a strong academic interest in the often-overlooked value of individuals who are typically described negatively—such as those labelled ‘neurotic’ or ‘introverted’—and the positive contribution they can bring to organisations.

(Note from Meyler Campbell: Gillian co-led a fascinating Masterclass with Faculty Member Penny Moyle a few years ago with a focus on Neuroticism & The Insecure Overachiever. Participants & Alumni can re-watch on Connected here)

Since Mastered, has anything changed for you?

As my practice was already centred on individual development, adding coaching has not dramatically changed my overall direction. However, it has significantly changed how I engage with clients – not just in a coaching context – and how I see my role within those interactions. I try not to have too many assumptions about what the client might want or what I can offer; I am more likely to consciously step back a little, to really listen and take in what their issues are, rather than immediately jumping in with a quick solution.

Many of my existing clients now combine coaching with assessment work, and I am also seeing a steady stream of new clients seeking coaching specifically.

One notable shift is that I now occasionally work with clients without any assessment element at all. This is new for me and feels both slightly unsettling and unexpectedly liberating.

What impact did the Mastered Programme have for you?

The Mastered Programme significantly broadened my perspective. It reminded me of the importance of deliberately placing myself back into a learning environment, something I had not prioritised for some time.

It was also valuable to learn alongside people whose professional experiences were very different from my own. Beyond the coaching skills themselves, the programme encouraged me to engage more widely and to seek out perspectives beyond psychology.

Working within a ‘6-pack’[1], with input from two tutors, was particularly beneficial. Guy and Jenni brought distinct but complementary approaches, reinforcing that there is no single ‘right’ way to run a coaching session.

Is there anything you do differently now because of Mastered? What was most valuable?

I now listen with a more open and deliberate mindset, particularly in the early stages of client conversations; whether scoping a project or discussing organisational challenges.

I also bring these enhanced listening skills into a wide range of situations, from internal discussions at work to personal conversations. I am much more comfortable allowing silence, holding space, and waiting calmly for a response. Through this practice, I have become more aware of how much can remain unsaid when people are not given the time to think and respond fully.

Perhaps most valuable has been the simple joy of developing and honing a new skill, and the reminder that it is never too late to learn. That mindset has stayed with me as much as any specific technique.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I hope that my coaching qualification will enable me to work more flexibly over time, allowing me to balance meaningful work with a greater opportunity to travel and experience more of the world.

About Gillian Hyde

A 2023 Mastered graduate, Gillian is Director and Chief Psychologist at PCL, a boutique business psychology practice. She brings over 30 years’ experience in the field, from designing assessments of personality and ability through to in-depth interpretations and debriefs that increase self-awareness and guide the future development of leaders.

[1] Typically, a Mastered syndicate ratio is 1:3 (1 tutor, 3 participants), but occasionally we run ‘6-packs’ with two tutors and six participants.