Fiona has been passionate about developing her own Coaching skills since she completed the Btec Level 4 Course in 2011.
Since then, her career has rocketed and developed into many different areas. In 2014, she was repeatedly contacted by ADIs who were unsuccessful at the Standards Checks. Those ADIs had seen her regular social media activity and local Coaching course deliveries, so trusted her skill set in relation to their own development in Client Centred Learning. Standards Check training is now a regular part of her diary, both with Day courses and One to One sessions on offer.
Her Coaching skills were recognised in relation to her appointments for Speed Awareness and Driver Alertness Courses in Essex. She holds NSAC and NDAC Licences from NDORS.
Fleet Training became possible through Tri Coaching Partnership and their firm links with Lisa Dorn's DriverMetrics Company. Fiona is a DriverMetrics Accredited Coach.
Fiona developed her own Car & Diagram Sets for use with ADIs and their Student Drivers. The idea is one she developed for personal use when she was a PDI herself around 2002. The simple and very basic diagrams used in conjunction with the little cars are geared specifically for interaction from both Learner and ADI. Fiona's preference to 'hand the diagrams over' with the little cars so that the pupil will be encouraged to problem solve and work out their own action plans. Very useful especially relating to the current Standards Check criteria. Tri-Coaching Partnership were impressed with the potential; and requested dual branding of Fiona's Car & Diagram Sets. The Sets are now included as standard in the TCIT PDI Driving Instructor Training packs alongside all the TCIT manuals and basic text books.
Fiona feels her biggest achievement in recent months has been to be asked to deliver the BTEC Level 4 Professional Award in Coaching for Driver Development on behalf of Tri-Coaching Partnership. "It was one of those dreams I had that actually came true!" was Fiona's response to the accolade! "What a privilege to be asked! The BTEC Level 4 has been the best thing I have ever done professionally!"
Testimonials
"Hi,I thought I would send you a quick email in praise of Fiona.
I found Fiona was a fantastic help in putting into practice all that we had learned and in using the grow model.
Fiona is very professional and it was clear that she has an amazing understanding of coaching and that gave me great confidence in using it.
I learnt a lot from the in car coaching day and more importantly Fiona. Please pass my thanks and sincerest appreciation on to Fiona.
I will also send you a testimonial when i have completed the course but thank you both also for all your help this truly is a life changing course and that is down to your belief in your product.
Kindest Regards
George Clarke Road Safety Professional DVSA Approved Driving Instructor DVSA Approved Fleet Trainer"
I have been instructing for 30 years I was very sceptical of coaching as a new method of teaching learner drivers. However after spending 2 days on a Client Centred Learning course with Fiona I have been convinced, by her enthusiasm and professionalism, that CCL and coaching is a skill worth learning. If you want to learn about driver coaching I am able to recommend Fiona highly.”
Alan J Barker BA DSA ADI.
PS. My paradigm has never felt so shifted! Alan
Hi Fiona, I’ve just had a great lesson by finding out how my pupil was feeling. She asked to do dual carriage ways but was scared of going so fast and if she needed to stop she wouldn’t have time. She did a mind map of what she needed to be aware of and came up with looking further ahead to have more time to react. She wasn’t as scared to go on the dual carriage way now she felt she would have time by looking as far as she could see. Thank you for all these great ideas. CC
Thank you Fiona.
Into 4th year as a driving instructor, and recently failed my Standards Check.
With 2 hour lesson from Fiona, to understand and use Coaching and to confirm my understanding of the new Standards Check using coaching, Today I passed and given amazing feedback from examiner. Coaching is my way forward and my pupils seem to love it.
Fiona you listened and helped me in the areas I needed. Thank you Fiona couldn’t have passed without you. Regards, Colchester Instructor
SO !! As I had a 1hr taster lesson with beginner straight after , I took the bull by the horns !!!! I had no idea of area other than it had a nice long, straight,wide, road that was quiet too ! The lad had been practicing in his mums Mini Cooper S’ round the church car park getting up to 3rd gear ! i asked how he liked to learn ? reply , very hands on !! so i thought what the hell , lets give it a go !! we swapped seats & quickly went through basics to confirm he had some idea of what to do ? after a little agreed guidence on smoothing out clutch , we were flying down the road @ 30mph !! I felt very vulnerable &everything in me wanted to say slow down a little ! but instead I asked him to pull over safely ,which he did , then I asked if he felt comfortable & in control ? he replied . no ! I was s##t scared !! so I asked how he thought I felt !! & what he could do to make us both feel safer ??? the rest of the drive was totally controlled & safe !! I know this is only a little snippet but normally I would have controlled the lesson far more in my comfort zone , & i felt very naked (if that doesn’t sound too weird !!) I cant say I particularly enjoyed it but he certainly did & I can see the benefits so I shall persevere !! many thanks DR
Hi Fiona, it was nearly 9 Months ago when I had the pleasure of meeting you on my Btec 3 course, I can now fully understand where your enthusiasm for this Coaching course came from, I would never have dreamt the difference it would have made to my working day as an ADI, it has made each day so much more rewarding, I feel my Pupils have gained so much too since I have put my new skills into practice! For me the listening skills along with good rapport with the pupil is just the start to ensuring there is a comfortable environment in the car for the learning to take place, discovering the preferred learning style from the pupil is another great thing I learnt from the course - with all this plus so much more I would Highly recommend the Btec 3 to anyone - as I previously said it has changed my life but more importantly my pupils, they seem so much happier with each lesson because they have discovered so much about themselves through the self evaluation skills I now encourage them with. Basically it was the best few £'s I have ever spent - never realised I'd gain so much! Thanks again Fiona for your all your kindness & continued support throughout, Debs
"When I first started the course I thought I can't say that, I can't do that, my lesson will go so wrong. Believe Fiona you can say that, change it will be great" AB
"I done the Btec course with Fiona in Feb 2014. I wanted to add an extra dimension to my teaching methods and by doing the course with her it certainly has helped. On the day I done my course it was with two other instructors, we all got on really well and had a very enjoyable learning experience. I would thoroughly recommend in doing the Btec course with her." Mick P
I really enjoyed it and a massive 'Thanks' to Fiona Adi Driving-Coach who was fantastic! You were right Woody Adi she is really great and I feel so privileged. Can't wait for tomorrow to start putting this into place with my pupils. (J)
Had the best conclusion to a learning to drive journey. Had a dyslexic girl pass (first time with me). She had been learning on and off for 10 years, 8 instructors and estimated spending £8000. Feedback from examiner was a beautiful drive and feedback from client made my head swell....lol
Thanks Fiona Adi , your voodoo is working
Hi all just like to share a shining light moment.
Doing crossroads with one of my girls last night and sitting in a box junction waiting to turn right, I noticed my girl getting anxious, after nearly stalling and having to catch the clutch twice, we pulled over and it took nearly 5 mins of Q & A she finally said
"My mum always moans about people being stuck in the middle "
Aha I thought lol
A bit or reassurance and talking and the nxt crossroads, not a problem and my girl was so happy.
So happy that we popped on a cd and she sang all the way home, safely.
2 months ago I would have said dont worry about it and just did again and again till I thought she was ok.
I would just like to say the Biggest thank you to Fiona for all your help & encouragement on helping me achieve my Btec 3 which I found out I passed today. Fiona knows as many others that I am not a very confident person but since meeting Fiona on the aCCeLerate course her enthusiasm, kindness & support has helped me achieve this award which in return has gave me the confidence to carry onto the Btec 4 which I'd like to start next year!