Coaching, Mentoring & Leadership Counsel
About Absolute Forward
Absolute Forward was founded by two friends: Martin Arnold and Marc Mercer.
We created Absolute Forward following almost 40 years of combined experience in confronting many of the challenges that we seek to support our clients through. Behind this is a long-standing, shared desire to commit ourselves to helping others on their journeys.
We pride ourselves on integrating facets of leadership coaching, mentoring, and simply embracing our humanity in every interaction with our clients – fostering a natural, meaningful, and solution-driven partnership.
So whatever you want to discuss, whatever the solutions we find together and whether you want to spend our sessions virtually, in a coffee shop or walking in the hills, we’re here to facilitate the optimal environment for you to thrive!
Meet the Team
Services & Pricing
Whether you're seeking a single coaching session to refine your goals, a comprehensive package for ongoing support, or a tailored corporate package to elevate your team's performance, we're here to guide you on your journey.
Our expert coaching and mentoring services are designed to unlock potential and foster success, ensuring that every session is a step towards achieving your aspirations. Get in touch via our contact form below for more information or to set up a free-of-charge trial session.
Check-in 15
15min check-in session
£70
Available for existing clients, following first 60 or 90 minute session
Session 60
60min Coaching session
£250
Session 90
90 min Coaching session
£370
Packages
Multi-session packages available
based on client-specific need
Corporate Packages
Bespoke packages based on client-specific need
Our Clients
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What is Coaching?Coaching is a collaborative and action-oriented process designed to help individuals clarify their goals, identify obstacles, and create strategies to achieve their desired outcomes in various areas of life. Unlike therapy, which often focuses on healing past wounds or addressing mental health concerns, life coaching is forward-focused and emphasizes personal and professional development. Key aspects of life coaching include: Goal setting Action Planning Accountability Support and encouragement Skill Building Discovery and exploration Empowerment
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What is Mentoring?Mentoring is a dynamic and collaborative relationship between someone with significant life and professional experience (the mentor) and someone at a less-experienced stage of life with the objective of supporting the mentee’s personal and professional development. Unlike coaching, which typically focuses on specific goals and skills, mentoring tends to be more holistic and long-term, emphasizing guidance, advice, and wisdom gained through the mentor's own experiences. Key aspects of mentoring include: Knowledge sharing Career development Personal growth Networking Role Modelling Feedback and support Empowerment
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**How do you combine both approaches?Answer 1: Combining coaching and mentoring can be a powerful approach to client development. To effectively combine these methods, we ensure alignment between the coach's expertise and the client's needs. This alignment fosters functional identification, enhancing professional relationships and performance. Optional addition: **A successful integration of coaching and mentoring can lead to increased organizational commitment, improved work performance, and a stronger alignment with the organization's values and goals.** Answer 2: Combining coaching and mentoring involves integrating the structured, performance-driven approach of coaching with the relationship-based, development-focused nature of mentoring. To effectively blend these two methods, we would start by identifying the unique needs and goals of the individual or team. Coaching can then be employed to address specific skills and performance objectives, providing clear, actionable feedback and setting measurable targets. Meanwhile, mentoring can be introduced to offer broader developmental support, sharing experiences, and insights that align with the individual's long-term career aspirations. This dual approach not only enhances skill sets and performance but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth within the organization.
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What makes for a good relationship with my coach / mentor?The coach commits to uphold the ethical standards set by the Association for Coaching, while the client is responsible for their own well-being and decisions throughout the coaching process. The client understands that coaching is distinct from therapy and does not diagnose or treat any medical conditions. It is a comprehensive approach that may touch on various life aspects, such as work and relationships, but the client retains full responsibility for implementing coaching insights. The client acknowledges the right to end the coaching relationship at any time and is advised to seek professional advice for issues beyond the coach's scope. If under mental health care, the client should inform their Coach. The Client understands that in order to enhance the coaching relationship, the Client agrees to communicate honestly, be open to feedback and assistance and to create the time and energy to participate fully in the program.
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How long are sessions?We offer three types of sessions for individual clients: 60 minutes, 90 minutes or 20 minute check-ins available upon completion of a first 60 or 90 minute session.
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What's included in the price?The detail of the package you have or will purchase will be detailed as much as possible on the website, but it will also be fully detailed in our Coaching agreement document.
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What payment options do you offer?We accept payment by credit / debit card or bank transfer. We request that sessions are paid for in advance.
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How do I choose between Martin and Marc?This is determined two primary factors: - The alignment of our clients' objectives with our own individual experience, ensuring that you are working with the person who has most closely walked in your shoes and has the greatest overall potential to support you. - Chemistry! Providing as much detail as possible in your new client form will help us to assess who might be the best fit for you.
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How many sessions will I need?This is determined by the nature of each clients' objectives and overall preferences in terms of their preferred pace and way of working together. At the intro session, we will discuss the right options for you and align on an initial commitment.
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What is the cancellation policy?We fully understand that things come up on life – it happens to us as well! If you need to cancel a session, we ask that you please give us 24 hours notice. If sessions are cancelled after this deadline, the session will be forfeited per our terms and conditions.
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Where do coaching session take place?We do the majority of our coaching sessions virtually but we can also meet clients in person in Brighton and London. We add a 12% surcharge to any in-person meetings in London to subsidise the cost of travel and travel time.
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What happens during the introductory session?Introductory sessions last approximately 40 minutes and are designed to better understand your objectives in working with us, assess the potential of our partnership and answer any questions you may have.