Meet Our Coaches
Q & A with Stephanie Benfield
Stephanie is a neuro-affirming business coach with seven years’ experience helping brilliant people thrive at work and in life. She is an ICF-accredited PCC, and every conversation is filtered through a trauma-informed, compassion-first lens.
As an autistic, dyspraxic introverted business owner, Stephanie know how exhilarating and exhausting it can be to navigate traditional business spaces that weren’t built with neurodivergent brains in mind, so understands the need to create a businesses that work for each of us!
Stephanie’s coaching credentials and extensive experience speak volumes, but exceptional coaching is ultimately shaped by the person at the helm.
In this Q&A, Stephanie shares her guiding philosophies, the motivations behind her neurodiversity‑focused work, and how she tailors her support to the unique strengths of each client.
It’s an opportunity to discover who she is, why she coaches the way she does, and how she helps others thrive.
Tell us a little about your journey, how did you come to be a coach at Sycamore?
I’ve been working as a coach for 7 years, specialising in Neurodiversity – coaching for the last three years. Before that, I was a project/team manager across a range of industries (automotive, pharmaceutical, insurance, hospitality).
In fact, there are hardly any jobs I haven’t done! This means I can relate to and understand a lot of client experiences. I came across Sycamore thanks to their neuroaffirming focus and loved their approach!
What drew you to Sycamore and our neuroaffirming approach to business coaching?
Being autistic and dyspraxic myself, I know how valuable it is to work with those who truly get it! Sycamore is brilliant for its inclusive approach and ability to support clients with real understanding.
What types of coaching conversations or support do you most enjoy diving into?
Improving confidence and challenging imposter syndrome are topics I love to dive into. I work using a strengths-based approach, so love to build confidence, encourage ambitious goals and help clients to make it happen.
What success that you typically have with clients, what do you help them achieve and/or breakthrough?
What I love is helping clients connect the dots, perhaps recognising their own strengths, having more awareness of their neurodiversity, so they can use it strategically.
I also love helping clients set goals that are really meaningful and breaking them down to feel achievable and then looking at the practicalities of making that happen, whether it’s exploring time, diary and energy management or getting rid of the mindset blocks!
Are you neurodivergent yourself, or do you have close personal experience with neurodivergence?
Yes, I’m autistic and dyspraxic. How this shows up for me is with logical, process-driven approaches, but also reading all of those body language cues to ensure that what clients are saying matches up with what their body is experiencing.
In the very stereotypical sense, my dyspraxia means I drop my phone about 10 times a day and am always covered in bruises through spatial awareness challenges!
What’s one thing you really wish more people understood about coaching neurodivergent business owners?
That you have to create your own roadmap to success, and that when “I should be doing it like them” thoughts come in, it’s always best to check in if that’s really the best approach for you
What’s your go-to tool, app, or system that helps keep you (and your clients) organised, motivated, or feeling less overwhelmed?
I love the solve-it grid. Instead of looking at tasks in terms of urgency/importance. It focuses on what’s energising and fun vs what’s less stimulating and potentially energy draining. It’s then a great way of creating a healthy, balanced day.
- Did I do something with a deadline that gives me a boost (fires)?
- Did I feel engaged with something fun (fueling fun)?
- Did I tick off a “should” that’s been on my to-do list for too long (should & oughts)?
- Did I unwind and do something relaxing (passive fun)?
When you’re not coaching, what do you love to do to relax or recharge?
In the mornings, I am usually out running or doing a strength workout (as I have signed up for a marathon!), which sets me up for the day.
In the evening, I love craft projects (sewing, cross-stitch, crochet) or reading. At weekends I’m watching sports. MotoGP is my fave!
Speaking of… what’s your current hyperfocus, obsession, or special interest outside of work?
At the moment, it’s running. I have marathon training on my mind! I am also a little obsessed with pet sitting! I am on the Trusted Housesitters app and take on pet-sitting opportunities when I can!
What’s your best tip for building a business that works with your brain, not against it?
Understanding how your brain works best – when are you most focused, when are you great with people, when do you need to go easy on yourself, and when can you go all in.
When you start recognising your own cues, you can then work with your brain and stop forcing a system that doesn’t work for you.
If you had to describe what you're hoping working with Sycamore will feel like in just one word, what would it be?
Game-changing!