Case Study: Circl & So Energy

How So Energy Built Coaching Confidence and Inclusive Leadership

About So Energy

Industry: Energy

Location: United Kingdom

Company size: 400-500+

So Energy is a UK-based energy provider focused on creating a more sustainable and customer-centric energy experience. As part of its commitment to developing its people and building an inclusive culture, So Energy partnered with Circl to embed coaching into leadership and support social mobility through meaningful development opportunities.

The Challenge: Developing Coaching Skills and Inclusive Leadership

So Energy wanted to:

  • Strengthen coaching capability across its people

  • Support employees to lead with more confidence and empathy

  • Build a culture of continuous learning and reflection

  • Provide opportunities for employees to step outside their comfort zones

  • Create meaningful social impact by connecting with underrepresented young people

The organisation was looking for a development experience that combined practical skill-building with real-world application, rather than traditional, theory-based learning.

“The programme made me build lasting relationships with colleagues I don’t interact with daily”

So Energy Professional

The Solution

A Practical, Coaching-Led Learning Experience

Programme participants:

12 So Energy professionals in leadership positions

Future leader participants: 12 FL's

Training hours: 20 per person

Circl delivered the Leader as Coach programme to So Energy employees which included:

  • 1-2-1 coaching partnerships between So Energy professionals and Future Leaders from underrepresented backgrounds

  • A structured learning journey combining coaching theory and practice

  • Focus on key coaching skills, including:

  1. Active listening

  2. Effective questioning

  3. Building trust

  4. Goal setting

  • Regular coaching conversations to embed learning in real time

  • Facilitated sessions designed to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment

“Embracing challenges and stepping out of my comfort zone are key to personal growth.”

So Energy Professional

The Impact

    • Significant increase in:

      • Coaching knowledge

      • Confidence in effective questioning

      • Ability to build trust in conversations

    • Participants highlighted the value of practicing coaching in real scenarios

  • 86% of professionals reported a positive impact on their team or company culture

    • Participants developed greater awareness of different perspectives

    • Leaders reported stepping outside their comfort zones and embracing new ways of working

    • 12 Future Leaders took part in the programme

    Diverse cohort, including:

    • 75% from global majority backgrounds

    • 50% first or second generation immigrants

    • 25% young carers

    • 71% showed interest in joining So Energy following the programme

    • 100% of participants would recommend Circl

    • 100% felt they had the tools to be inclusive leaders

    • 93% of objectives were met or exceeded

Conclusion

Through its partnership with Circl, So Energy has strengthened coaching capability across its people while building a more inclusive and reflective leadership culture.

By combining practical coaching experience with real-world conversations, participants developed the confidence and skills to lead more effectively. At the same time, Future Leaders gained access, confidence and new opportunities through meaningful coaching relationships.

Discover how Circl can help your leaders build inclusive teams here.

Key stats

93% of objectives were met or exceeded

100% feel they are more inclusive leaders

100% would recommend Circl

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