CHughes Coaching | Leader-to-Leader Coaching & Mentoring for Tech Managers

Feeling the weight of leadership?

You’re not alone: according to DDI, only 35% of first-time managers feel ready to lead. And when you’re juggling delivery, wellbeing, and stakeholder pressure—it’s easy to feel like you’re winging it.

FocusHR found that psychological safety—not technical skill—was the biggest predictor of success.

Coaching and Mentoring for First-Time Tech Managers helps you build that safety, communicate with clarity, and lead from a more grounded, confident place.

Navigate difficult conversations and team dynamics
Lead effective 1-to-1s that actually move the needle
Overcome imposter syndrome and self-doubt

Coaching and Mentoring for First-Time Tech Managers: An 8-session coaching journey for first-time leaders.

Book Your Free Chemistry Call

Sources: DDI Global Leadership Forecast 2025, FocusHR

Supporting First-Time Engineering Managers at Scale

According to Gallup, 70% of the variance in team engagement comes down to the manager. And yet, most engineering leaders are promoted without formal leadership training—costing organisations dearly.

The financial impact is real: low engagement teams see up to 43% higher turnover, and in the UK, replacing just one mid-level developer can cost over £30,000 (Oxford Economics).

Coaching Support for First-Time Engineering Managers helps tech orgs protect that investment—coaching managers to create safer, higher-performing teams.

Reduce churn and engineer burnout
Improve team engagement and trust
Build promotable, self-sufficient leaders

Coaching Support for First-Time Engineering Managers:

Book a 15-Min Fit Call

Sources: Gallup Global Workplace 2023, Gallup: State of the American Manager, Oxford Economics

Colin Hughes, founder of CHughes Coaching

About CHughes Coaching

I’m Colin Hughes—former Engineering Manager turned Leadership Coach for tech professionals ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

With 20+ years in software and 8 in leadership, I’ve built teams, delivered under pressure, and hit burnout hard. I know what it’s like to feel capable on the outside but lost underneath.

Now I coach first-time tech managers and unfulfilled leaders to lead people—not just projects. It’s real-world coaching, backed by NLP and mindset tools, designed to help you stay sharp, resilient, and values-driven.

No fluff, just Leader-to-Leader.

Who I Help

First-time tech managers who want to lead people - not just projects - with clarity, confidence, and resilience.
Tech companies and startups who want to invest in leadership development early, to boost retention and performance.
Mid-career professionals in tech feeling unfulfilled and ready to realign their career with who they truly are.
Burned-out leaders who’ve lost their spark and need mindset support to regain focus, energy, and purpose.

I work with both individuals and organisations - whether you're stepping into leadership or supporting those who are.

Coaching & Mentoring Services

🧭 Career Transformation Coaching & Mentoring

Feel stuck, burned out, or misaligned in your current path? This coaching helps you reconnect with your values, build confidence, and move toward a more fulfilling direction—on your terms.

Explore what's no longer working—and why
Clarify your values and career vision
Build confidence to take action

Best for: Mid-career professionals or leaders in tech ready to realign their work with who they are.

🤝 Leader-to-Leader Coaching & Mentoring

Practical, grounded coaching for first-time tech managers to lead with calm, clarity, and confidence. Build trust, handle team dynamics, and step into leadership—without burning out.

1:1 coaching on real leadership challenges
Build trust and psychological safety
Navigate peer-to-leader transitions

Available for:
✔ Self-funded engineering managers (B2C)
✔ Orgs developing first-time leaders (B2B)

🧠 NLP & Mindset Coaching

Deep mindset work to shift limiting beliefs, reduce imposter syndrome, and boost emotional resilience. Backed by NLP and tailored to tech professionals under pressure.