For architects of change.

Coaching emerging leaders in complex environments.

Featuring Insights from a Detective Coach

You don't need fixing.

Amplify what makes you unique.

Learn to use it deliberately.

Drawing on Character Strengths and the science of Character with rare insights from coaching detectives in complex environments, I help emerging leaders, change-makers and purpose-driven professionals build the self-awareness, confidence and resilience to lead with greater clarity and impact — especially when the path ahead isn't straightforward.

Book a free 30 minute conversation
Book a free 30 minute conversation

Know your strengths. Lead your way.

Sabalenka doesn't try to become another player. She understands her own game.

The best performers don't try to become somebody else. They understand what makes them effective and learn how to use those strengths deliberately.

Leadership is no different.

Coaching can support you if you are...

Stepping into leadership.

Leading change.

Preparing for promotion.

Navigating a transition and feeling lost.

Trying to influence without authority.

Uncertain about what's next.

What can change?

Make more confident decisions
Lead with greater presence and clarity.

Understand your strengths
Increase performance and satisfaction.

Handle difficult conversations
Build stronger relationships.

Better self-awareness
Influence without becoming someone you’re not.

Greater resilience
Navigate uncertainty with increased self-care.

A clear sense of direction
Lead with greater authenticity.

Coaching for people who see possibility where others see problems.

Client Reviews

LEADERSHIP IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS

“Coaching with Cate has helped me strengthen communication, conflict resolution and leadership abilities, which enables me to inspire the teams I work with, build trust with the public and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics effectively.”

— J, Fast Track Counter Terrorism Detective, Metropolitan Police, SO15

CONFIDENCE

“Cate helped me to overcome a sense of imposter syndrome by drawing on my strengths to develop strategies to feel empowered. Since my sessions with Cate I have felt able to support and develop my team with new tools to both bring the team together and promote confidence within the team.”

— Melanie, NHS Team Supervisor

CLARITY

“Cate Gunn is really good, never believed in coaching, she’s actually great, brought a lot of clarity to me and helped me re-contextualise my thoughts.”

— Hannan, former leadership programme client

Who I work with

My clients include emerging leaders and professionals across policing, emergency services, the NHS, public sector, education, charities and purpose-driven organisations.

❋ People stepping into leadership.

Building confidence, influence and leadership presence.

❋ People leading change

Navigating complexity, resistance and uncertainty.

❋ People with purpose

Trying to create meaningful impact without losing themselves in the process.

Discover the leadership traits you didn't know you had.

I’m Cate Gunn.

My coaching approach has been influenced by leading the coaching for the Metropolitan Police's pioneering fast-track Counter Terrorism SO15 leadership programme.

Working alongside talented emerging leaders, I saw first-hand what it takes to lead when expectations are high, uncertainty is constant, and you're bringing fresh thinking into long-established cultures and hierarchies.

Succeeding in the toughest environments isn’t about concealing your weaknesses, hiding your deficits. It’s about amplifying your strengths with self awareness, resilience and grit.

Shift your perspective.

Recognise your strengths.

Use them intentionally.

A Different Approach?

Experience in uncharted territory where the stakes are high

My approach was shaped by coaching emerging leaders in one of the UK's most demanding professional environments.

Strengths, not shortcomings

I don't believe you need fixing. I help you understand what already makes you effective — and use it more deliberately.

Unique Character, not template coaching models

Using Character Strengths, we explore what drives you, how you think, respond and lead, then turn that insight into practical action.

Book your programme

ORIENTATION

One session to understand where you are, what you need and your core Character Strengths.

Information & Booking

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

A structured three-session journey.

Information & Booking

LEADERSHIP IMPACT

Six sessions with review and application.

Information & Booking

Learn more about my coaching

Ready to explore what’s possible?

Book a 30 minute free conversation

  • "Coaching with Cate has made me reflect more on what is important to me, both in work and my wider life outside of work, considering what motivates me and why I am motivated in the specific ways I am, for the specific objectives I am. Since our sessions I have internally reflected more on what drives me and what I want from life outside of work which is a particularly important skill given the high intensity and stress levels of the job that I do."

    — Trainee Counter Terrorism Detective Client

  • “The sessions with Cate helped me to feel confident in tacking my new leadership role. I was very keen to support my new team and talking through that process with Cate really helped me to understand this new role and dynamic that I would now be in with my colleagues.”

    — Mel, NHS Team Superviror

  • "Cate Gunn is really good, never believed in coaching, she’s actually great, brought a lot of clarity to me and helped me recontextualise my thoughts."

    Hanan, former Detective Client

  • “Cate is a very energetic and engaging speaker with fantastic knowledge in colour profiling and how that translates into the workplace. After the session my delegates gave immediate positive praise for the session and commented Cate was the best speaker of the course. I would not hesitate to recommend Cate’s services.”

    – Richard Bazley, Manager for National Graduate Leadership Programme

  • "Coaching was a huge benefit to me in adapting my skills from my professional sport background to fast track into the Detective Constable role within two years. I do not believe this transition would have been possible without coaching with Cate."

    Amy - Detective Constable

  • “Cate is a great listener, enabling you to understand your strengths when most people focus on weaknesses. Cate has kept me on track with my goals and helps me consider how I have progressed.”

    Flo - former Detective Client

  • “Fantastic inputs on Values In Action (VIA) utilisation for both team & Frontline Leadership participants. 'Genius overlay' with CVF wheel & VIA symbols; really resonated & demystified the relevance. Thank you so much!”

    — Steve Jackson, Frontline Leadership Coach

  • “Cate is like a ray of sunshine, I can really rely on Cate to be there to help me think positively about how to improve my outlook and perspectives.”

    — Former Detective Client

  • “Cate helped me work through my Character Strengths and which parts of my character I might not use as often and how I can develop these parts of my character and try to use them to elicit different responses. Allowing me to rely less on humour often used to deflect or hide from emotions. Cate coached me through different ways to approach difficult conversations and gave me confidence in my own strengths.”

    — Megan, former Detective Constable client

  • “Thank you for the input you delivered and the great way you delivered it. I found it personally really beneficial, and you completely engaged the group. It really linked nicely to an earlier session where we had asked participants to consider their leadership styles and helped to set up some really good conversations in 121s. You will definitely have some people seeking out further sessions and it’s also raised some discussions around culture and awareness in policing around coaching which will feature as a further discussion.”

    - Denise Booth, Training Manager

  • “Obsessed with your session today. Thank you so much, l am absolutely using this with my participants and private clients.”

    Shirin Diaz, Freelance Coach

  • “Thank you so much for that workshop, was incredibly insightful! One of the best sessions I have had in a long time.  I think all our teams could really gain something from that session. It's made me reflect a lot on understanding people a bit more and not take things too personally”

    Beth, HR Team Member

  • “Thank you so much for coming to our department meeting yesterday, I (and others) took a lot from it. Your delivery style was engaging, informative and easy to understand. I heard people talking the rest of the day about their colour profiles – it was lovely to see the interaction across people who don’t necessarily work together in their day-to-day.”

    – Cat Moughton, HR Manager

Insights from a Detective Coach

Free monthly leadership intelligence.

What high-pressure, complex environments can teach us about leadership.

One short leadership insight each month, drawn from coaching, Character Strengths and the world of complex investigations.

What you'll get:

  • one idea worth thinking about

  • one question to consider

  • one practical way to apply it

Explore:

Leading Without Certainty

Decision-making, confidence and ambiguity.

Detective Lessons

What complex investigations teach us about leadership.

Strengths in Action

How Character Strengths show up in real leadership situations.

The Leadership Shadow

Unconscious influence and the ripple effect.

Thinking Differently

Challenging assumptions about leadership.