Nick Steel
Nick partners ambitious and committed individuals to improve their performance, and achieve their goals, by developing themselves to be the best they can possibly be.
Talk to Nick
Send me an email: nick@catalystthinking.com
Call me: +44 (0) 782 484 8591

Industries I have worked in:
- Energy
- Management consultancy
- Charity
What services do you offer?
Individual Coaching
Mentoring
Consultancy
What’s been my biggest leadership challenge?
Leading a global team of 300-500 technical professionals, from 30+ nationalities and operating in 20+ countries, through 4 years of significant corporate change and uncertainty, which saw 4 CEOs, a commodity-price crash and being acquired for $54bn in one of the world’s largest corporate deals of 2015.
What made it so difficult?
Supporting and motivating individuals to prepare and position themselves to ‘put their best foot forward’, to take ownership of their decisions, whilst still delivering ‘business as planned’ and reshaping the organization for resilience under sustained low commodity prices.
What helped me overcome this challenge?
A belief that my role, and that of fellow leaders in the organization, was to support our teams to develop and demonstrate their capabilities, actively pursue their personal development to access their potential, and to deliver the business goals excellently, to create a ‘win/win’ ‘best of both’ outcome for individual and corporation.
What did I learn?
Communication is critical in times of uncertainty. Even when there is little new to say, individuals want to know you are listening and endeavouring to understand their personal challenges, whilst empathically helping them see they retained ownership; at the same time trying to be self-compassionate.
What’s my style as a thinking partner?
My coaching practice builds on personal experience in leadership and executive positions in the energy sector, leadership and professional coaching, and Adaptive/Para rowing coaching. I believe that an adaptive, context-specific blended approach is most appropriate to support an individual to achieve their desired outcomes. I draw upon a variety of established evidence-based coaching techniques in an integrative manner. My coaching presence is underpinned by a sense of purpose, supportively challenge, and personal values (authentic, committed, compassionate, connected and curious).
What's my professional background?
I have over 30 years’ international upstream oil and gas experience in technical and senior leadership roles within operational, joint-venture, corporate, consultancy and advisory environments.
I have experience and interest in leading through change, and developing people to reach their potential. I am a Fundraising Director for a local charity supporting young adults with disabilities, Specialist Visiting Lecturer, an Adaptive/Para rowing coach, and rowing club Captain. I mentor for energy industry professional bodies (SPE, PESGB, and Geological Society of London).
Who have I worked for?
- Acrometis UK Ltd
- Sheffield Business School
- Vanwall Resources
- BG Group (acquired by Shell)
- Rashpetco & Burullus
- ENI
What do I do away from work?
I am a proud husband and father to two grown-up children, who I continuously learn from. I am a passionate (some say obsessed) competitive veteran rower, scuba diver and skier, and am fortunate that my family share these interests.
What credentials and qualifications do I have?
- Henley Business School – Professional Certificate in Coaching
- Member of International Coaching Federation (ICF)
- Student Member of Association for Coaching (AC)
- Chartered Geologist (C Geol)
- MSc Petroleum Geology (Imperial College, London)
- British Rowing Coach
What people are saying
“I started working with Nick after leaving a role as CEO for international business. Going through this change left my thinking clouded and uncertain. Thanks to Nick investing time in me (and that’s Nick’s most amazing attribute; he engages at a deep personal level with a strong desire to help), allowing me to reflect, refocus and start looking for my next challenge with renewed vigour. I can’t thank Nick enough for taking me on this journey of self-discovery and helping me move forward.”
Jim, former CEO, energy sector
“Through my conversations with Nick I changed my whole point of view, At the end of the course I had a clear, confident and exciting view of the future. Nick’s style is patient, wise and considerate. Just what you need to get to the root of a problem and develop your own solution.”
Michael, Business Performance Manager, energy sector
Nick’s Contact Details
To explore how we could help you, please get in touch. It starts with a conversation.