From technical excellence to intentional leadership
Leadership and career coaching for researchers and academics who want to make a meaningful contribution without losing themselves.
You’re good at your job. You’ve worked hard. You’re respected by colleagues. Effective.
But being good at research doesn’t automatically prepare you for everything that comes next. Juggling all the competing demands while still trying to deliver your personal output. It can feel overwhelming.
I’m Dr Margaret Collins and I can help you do less, better.
You’re not afraid of hard work but hard work has it’s limits. It might help to think differently about what matters now, what you want to achieve and the best way to get there.
Most of the people I work with aren’t short of ability. It’s too easy to end up overworking, just to prove yourself. At the same time, you don’t want to be over-confident or arrogant but it’s all too easy to be overlooked. When it comes to leadership, it’s not like you see many role models you like! It’s frustrating. It’s exhausting.
We often find we’re wondering:
- Am I good enough for this?
- If I find the time and energy, do I even really want this?
- Can I be committed to my career and get to have a life I love?
So here’s the truth. It doesn’t need to be this way. With the right tools and support, you can do less and better – lead your team with confidence and enjoy a better life.
Book a call with Margaret
Arrange a simple, no obligation conversation. Let’s talk soon!
Your career. Your choices.
I’m Dr Margaret Collins. I spent more than 20 years as an academic before becoming a professional coach and leadership development trainer.
I understand the demands of research life. The excitement of discovering something new. The pressure to publish, win funding and establish your reputation. The sometimes uncomfortable transition from being the expert who does the work to the leader who enables others to succeed.
I can help you evaluate priorities, manage your time & energy,
build leadership confidence,
overcome “imposter” feelings.
And I know that having a successful career doesn’t automatically mean having a satisfying life.
Today I work with researchers and academic leaders who want to make more intentional choices about their careers, their leadership and the contribution they make.
My work combines coaching, mentoring and practical leadership development. I bring experience, evidence-informed approaches and a willingness to ask questions that help you see things differently.
I’m not here to tell you what your career should look like.
I’m here to help you build the clarity, confidence and professional judgement to shape it for yourself.
When the next step isn’t obvious
You might recognise yourself:
You’re becoming a leader
You’ve developed expertise in your field and now other people look to you for direction. You’re supervising researchers, contributing to grants, managing projects or taking responsibility for students or a team.
You want to do this well. But you’re discovering that the skills that made you successful aren’t always the skills you need to lead. How do you develop your own leadership style, establish credibility and influence others without pretending to be someone you’re not?
You’re already leading, but at what cost?
You have a research group, responsibilities and a reputation you’ve worked hard to establish.
There are always more demands on your time than you can comfortably meet. Your research competes with meetings, management, supervision and the needs of other people. You may be achieving a great deal but have too little time for the work thinking and that gives you real satisfaction.
How do you stop being pulled in every direction and start making more deliberate choices about where your contribution matters most?
Considering what next?
What do you want from the next stage of your career? What kind of work do you want to be known for? What would success look like if it included the rest of your life?
You don’t need to have the answers before you begin. Sometimes finding the right questions is the most useful starting point.
I don’t believe there’s one perfect version of professional success waiting for you to discover it.
What matters to you will change. Your circumstances will change. Your responsibilities, ambitions and energy will change too.
You may find yourself moving towards a new or unexpected opportunity or recognising that something which once mattered enormously no longer deserves the same place in your life.
That’s why I think of career development as navigation.
You need to know where you are, understand what matters to you and recognise the forces influencing your choices. Then you can decide where to go next.
And when circumstances change, as they inevitably will, you can adjust your course.
The aim isn’t to create a perfect career plan. It’s to become better equipped to make good decisions throughout your career..
Book a call with Margaret
Arrange a simple, no obligation conversation. Let’s talk soon!
One-to-One Coaching for Researchers and Academic Leaders
Take the time to hear yourself think
Coaching gives you something rare: the time to hear yourself think, with someone who’ll challenge you and hold you to your own standards. The biggest benefit is the time to think and hear yourself say it out loud.
Yes, I add information, discuss models and teach tools. My coaching combines thoughtful questions with practical experience, mentoring and leadership development tools where these are useful.
We might work on your career direction, leadership identity, professional visibility, difficult relationships, strategic priorities or finding a more sustainable way to work.
The agenda is yours. We’ll focus on what matters most to you and develop approaches that work in your circumstances.
Flexible and Tailored for You
Typically, a “Gold level” package includes 12 sessions spread over 3 to 6 months. While 12 isn’t a “magic number”, it’s enough time to dig deep into your challenges, lay solid foundations for sustainable growth and start building upward with confidence and clarity. You can work with your coach as long as you need to.
Whether you’re tackling professional challenges, personal growth, or both, we’ll adapt the package to meet your needs.
Want elements of mentoring or additional training? No problem – this is bespoke coaching, built around you.
The most popular themes raised by my clients include:
- Doing less, better
- Core leadership skills
- Integrating research time with other professional roles
- Overcoming imposter feelings.
What interests you the most?
Looking for a Lighter option?
When you need a lighter touch, support in the moment rather than a structured programme, choose Essential Accountability Coaching. If you need help to navigate an important decision, overcome imposter feelings, or plan for a challenging meeting, then my Essential Accountability option can bridge the gap.
Why work with me?
I’ve been that senior Academic. I understand the pressures, expectations and opportunities that come with it.
My approach isn’t about teaching you to behave like someone else’s idea of a successful leader.
It’s about helping you understand yourself, develop the skills you need and make choices that reflect what matters to you.
Sometimes that means stepping forward and becoming more visible. Sometimes it means setting boundaries, delegating more or deciding that an opportunity isn’t right for you.
Good leadership isn’t about doing everything.
It’s about recognising where you can make the greatest contribution and creating the conditions to do that well.
Together we’ll take back control of your overwhelming schedule by:
- Prioritizing what truly matters.
- Delegating effectively.
- Managing your energy for sustainable success.
Yes, there may be days when your Inner Critic whispers that you’re not good enough. You might question whether to work harder – or quit while you’re ahead but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Working together, we’ll navigate:
- A clear sense of purpose to guide your decisions.
- The tools and strategies to bring your unique skills to the world.
- A calm confidence, greater courage and integrity to align with who you truly are.
For Early-Career Researchers
Starting your academic career can feel like stepping into a whirlwind. You’re focused on your research and feel the pressure to publish, build your reputation while somehow finding time to figure out who you are as a leader.
It sometimes feels like other people have this sorted while you…
- Spend all day working hard but your to-do list never gets any shorter.
- Know you need to “network,” but self-promotion feels uncomfortable.
- Wonder if you’re ready to supervise students or step into leadership roles.
You’re not alone and you don’t need to feel stuck. Together, we can:
- Map out a clear plan to balance your research with personal priorities.
- Build leadership skills so you feel prepared to step into new roles.
- Learn how to communicate your value and build connections while feeling more authentic.
Your career is just beginning and with the right support, you can start strong and build something extraordinary.
Not yet ready for coaching? Explore my Research Navigator community: resources on many aspects of research life, monthly deep dive campaigns to apply skills to everyday situations and group coaching calls where you get to ask your questions directly.
One philosophy. Three ways in.
Navigation: paying attention, developing judgement, and choosing intentionally — especially when the path isn’t obvious.
Whatever’s brought you here, it probably comes down to one of three things.
Coaching
For when you need to think: at a crossroads in your career, managing your team, or planning your next chapter — and you need someone to think it through with, not tell you what to do.
Skills Development
You’ve got the ability. What’s missing is the detailed “how to” in situations that are often ambiguous. Sometimes bespoke training allows you to build the bridge.
Research Navigator
You were trained to do research, not necessarily how to be a researcher.
This membership provides structured support for the part of the job nobody teaches.
Book a call with Margaret
Arrange a simple, no obligation conversation. Let’s talk soon!
Ways to Work with Margaret
On-Demand, Online Masterclasses
I understand. You’re busy. You need the flexibility to access training on your own terms.
I have created online, on-demand masterclasses.
And of course, you can ask me questions.
Book a call with Margaret
Arrange a simple, no obligation conversation.
Every person is different, their situations unique. When you’d like to explore what could be possible for you, use the online form to arrange an appointment.
Let’s talk soon!
Online: Imposter Syndrome Sources & Solutions
This four-module programme provides insight and practical tools for women who want to understand and move beyond imposter syndrome feelings and finally tame their inner critic.
Buy the Book: "Beyond Imposter Syndrome"
Amazon Best Seller
Strategies for building confidence and finally feeling good enough.
I wanted to say THANK YOU! Reflecting on your comments about energy management (and not answering emails first thing in the morning) has revolutionised my productivity!
Understanding why I was procrastinating (task too big/ doing the wrong task for my energy) has totally changed my entire perspective and I feel so much more effective for it!
I just wanted to let you know that this course was absolutely fantastic. Margaret is a superb course leader and it was without doubt the best course I’ve ever been on. I learned:
– Don’t let your inner critic rule
– Be brave, be courageous
– Learn to recognise why you feel like this, how to change your beliefs or actions.
I’d definitely recommend the session.
I came to the workshop with a deep fear of public speaking but left wanting to conquer that fear and perhaps even enjoy the experience in the future. Your calm demeanour and sound advice will, I hope, stay with me and inspire me, not only when called upon to give a presentation but also in day to day life. I really didn’t expect to have so much fun and to come away having thoroughly enjoyed the day!
Previous coaching clients have said:
I am getting work things done faster with greater motivation and lightness – get it done and move on.
It’s an attitude and skill I have admired in others for a very long time but always felt at a loss as how to emulate it.
It was a pleasure to meet you last week – I really enjoyed the session. I have been recommending you to my colleagues non-stop, describing you (if you don’t mind) as exactly “the small gin & tonic” I needed! I really did get a lot out of it!
Help yourself!
I’ve created some free resources to get you started.
Am I an Imposter?
This free ebook has 10 simple questions to help you to self-assess how you are affected by imposter feelings and behaviours.
I reveal three simple and effective first steps to outgrow your imposter today.
There is a part of you that knows you can move beyond imposter feelings…
5 Leadership Styles for Supervisors and Managers…
I believe that leadership skills can be learned and have different effects when used in different contexts.
In this book you’ll explore the pros and cons of 5 different leadership styles:
- Autocratic
- Laissez-faire
- Democratic
- Bureaucratic
- Transformational.
I share practical insights to help you get better results at the different stages of your project, with new and with more experienced members of your team
How to create more time…
This ebook reveals the real reason things get done – or not. Learn:
- The art of choosing priorities
- How action comes before motivation
- How setting tight deadlines can be key
- Why permission to take a break can be motivating.
To get different results you need to take different actions… start with a decision to do something different today.
