An Interview with Samantha Knowles, Senior Director & Head of Research and Certified Personal Career Development Coach
Samantha Knowles grew up in a working-class family in the North West of England. Quiet and observant, she often found herself retreating inwards. “I didn’t speak up much,” she reflects. “The world felt loud, and I preferred the stillness of my own thoughts.” That introspective nature became her safety — a way of being that allowed her to feel protected, if somewhat small.
Her life unfolded in distinct chapters. She was a competitive tennis player in her youth, experiencing the highs of victory and the sting of defeat — and often feeling the weight of the losses more than the wins. Later, she trained as a solicitor in London and found herself in courtrooms that demanded a confidence and voice she hadn’t yet discovered. From there, she moved into executive legal search. “That’s where something clicked,” she says. “I found a rhythm — a way to connect with people that felt real and grounded. It was a kind of happy place for me professionally.”
But as life has a way of doing, challenges surfaced — some expected, others not. It was in those quieter moments that Samantha realised logic and drive weren’t enough. “I needed something deeper. I needed stillness. I needed meaning. I needed to understand why.”
She began searching — through books, podcasts, and heartfelt conversations — and found herself drawn to coaching. “One Sunday afternoon, I was lying on the sofa with my AirPods in when I heard something that completely resonated with me. It felt like someone was saying the things I had never said out loud. That was the moment something stirred — a kind of inner calling. It didn’t say, ‘You’re broken.’ It said, ‘You’re becoming.’”
Now a qualified development coach, Samantha brings that same sense of spaciousness and insight to her clients. “I don’t see myself as a fixer,” she says. “I’m a fellow traveller.”
Why 1:1 Coaching?
Samantha believes that transformation begins in silence. “Sometimes the soul just needs a quiet space to speak. One-to-one coaching allows us to unpack the narratives we’ve carried for years — not to judge them, but to understand them.” She sees individual coaching as a space for authenticity and thoughtful movement — a gentle but powerful shift inwards that then radiates outwards.
Why Team Coaching?
To Samantha, teams are more than just collections of individuals — they are dynamic systems of relationship. “Team coaching invites people into real connection,” she explains. “It prioritises curiosity over certainty, and courage over comfort.” She focuses on helping teams build emotional intelligence and psychological safety — the foundations for trust, collaboration, and meaningful performance.
Why Coaching for Executives and Leaders?
Samantha recognises that leadership can be both impactful and isolating. “Leaders are human first,” she says. “Executive coaching offers a space to remove the titles and reconnect with purpose.” Her work helps leaders align actions with values, make grounded decisions, and find clarity in complexity. “It’s about supporting leaders to lead from a place of wholeness — not fear.”
At the core of her coaching philosophy is a belief that people don’t need fixing — they need guidance back to the parts of themselves that were never broken. “Coaching isn’t about perfection,” Samantha says. “It’s about presence, progress, and showing up fully — with clarity, compassion, and courage.”
When asked what she hopes people take away from her work, Samantha says this:
“If any part of this speaks to you, maybe it’s time to listen to that quiet voice within — the one that says, ‘You’re ready.’ I’ll be here, when you are.”
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