Coaching, supervision and leadership development rooted in self-awareness.

Julia Carden is a researcher, executive coach, coaching supervisor and author specialising in self-awareness.

Her work explores what self-awareness really is, why it matters, and why we are never finished developing it.

A circular infographic with four segments in black, gold, white, and gray colors.

For Leaders

For senior leaders navigating uncertainty. One-to-one executive coaching to deepen self-awareness, strengthen judgement and lead with clarity.

→ Learn more here

For Organisations

For organisations developing leaders, teams and coaching cultures. Keynotes, workshops, team development and thought leadership on self-awareness and leading through uncertainty.

→ Learn more here

For Coaches

For coaches ready to deepen their practice. Supervision from someone who is still actively coaching.

→ Learn more here

Julia’s book, ‘You Are Not As Self-Aware As You Think You Are’, draws on her PhD research to define what self-awareness actually is, why it matters and how it develops.

→ Explore the book
Multiple copies of a book titled "You Are Not As Self-Aware As You Think You Are" by Dr. Julia Gorden are displayed on a white table, with a vase of flowers in the background.

What is self-awareness?

Self-awareness is one of the most talked-about concepts in leadership and coaching. But what do we actually mean by it?

Julia's research found that self-awareness is widely discussed but rarely clearly defined.

It is also frequently confused with related concepts such as self-knowledge and self-consciousness.

Julia’s published definition is:

“Self-awareness consists of a range of interpersonal (the perception of others and individual behaviours) and intrapersonal components (beliefs, values, strengths, weaknesses, motivations, internal mental state and physiological responses) in order to develop self and human connection with others.”

Logo with a stylized letter 'Q' in black and gold colors.
→ Explore her research
Flowchart about coach self-awareness, components, biases, triggers, and responses, leading to human connection and coaching insights.

Julia’s diagram explains the interpersonal and intrapersonal elements of self-awareness.

You never arrive.

Julia’s leadership coaching will remind you that the moment you think you have arrived, you have not.

Self-awareness isn’t something you achieve once and tick off. It’s an ongoing practice of understanding yourself, questioning your assumptions and staying open to what you don’t yet see.

A woman with gray hair and pearl earrings sitting indoors near large windows, holding a white cup with a blue pattern, smiling at the camera.
→ Read Julia's insights

Research behind the practice

“My six-month coaching stint with Julia has genuinely changed both my thinking and actions.”

Peter Knott, Arts Council

Julia’s work is grounded in doctoral research into self-awareness within adult development, four peer-reviewed papers and more than 1,500 hours of coaching and supervision. She continues to research and actively coach in the field.

→ Book an Intro Call
  • Sytner logo with black geometric shape and the word 'Sytner' in black text.
  • Henley Business School logo with the University of Reading name beneath.
  • University of Portsmouth logo with stylized blue and purple speech bubbles
  • University of Chichester logo with crest and name
  • Bournemouth University logo with the initials 'BU' in black and pink, and the university's name underneath.
  • Logo of Alfardan Corporation with Arabic calligraphy and English text.
  • Royal Navy logo featuring a stylized flag and the text 'ROYAL NAVY' in bold.
  • Mission Performance logo with a stylized letter M inside a circular design in blue and green, and the text 'MISSION PERFORMANCE' next to it.
  • Autoclenz logo with a stylized red and blue swoosh and the company name in blue text.
  • Silhouette of a jumping deer above the text 'BOHUNT EDUCATION TRUST'.
  • Harris Federation logo featuring the text 'Harris Federation' and a geometric design with a yellow circle and dark green shapes.
  • Black and white logo featuring interlocking capital letters D and R.
  • The image features the United Kingdom flag above the words "ARMY BE THE BEST" in bold black letters.
  • A blue circular logo with the words 'Thames Water' inside, surrounded by two curved lines representing water.
  • JLL logo with red stylized globe and black letters.
  • Logo of Roadnight Taylor, an independent specialist grid consultancy, featuring text and a stylized graphic element resembling a windmill or pinwheel.
  • Ordnance Survey logo featuring a stylized map of the UK in blue and red with the words 'Ordnance Survey' beside it.
  • Text that reads 'Charity for Civil Servants' in purple, bold, rounded font on a white background.
  • A company logo with the text 'Chemring' and the tagline 'Innovating to protect' underneath it.
  • Nottingham Hospitals Charity logo with a heart-shaped design and the tagline 'At the heart of your care'.
  • Red circle with white letters 'PA' inside and three smaller gray circles around the top right.
  • LFB logo with red blocks containing white letters L, F, B and 'London Fire Brigade' text below
  • BMW logo with blue and white quadrants.
  • A logo with the word 'adyen' in green lowercase block letters.
  • The logo of the company 'FORTH' in black text.
  • SNOWS logo with blue oval background and white text.
  • The logo for ACTICA Consulting with the company name in bold black and pink text.
  • Logo featuring a stylized flower with a red, white, and blue color scheme and the text 'Jardines'.

Client testimonials

  • “Julia is the real deal, not only as a PhD qualified superb coach and supervisor but as a human being.”

    Peter Davies,
    Director, Selective Search

  • “Working with Julia is a breath of fresh air.”



    Samantha Cheeseman,
    HR Manager

  • “My six-month coaching stint with Julia has genuinely changed both my thinking and actions.”

    Peter Knott,
    Arts Council

Ready to explore what working with Julia could look like?

→ Contact