The Coaching Cafe Podcast

“So... what kind of reporting do you do?”  It's a question almost every workplace coach has been asked.  Recently, I was meeting with an HR Manager and a coachee's manager to discuss a potential coaching engagement when this question was raised. While I have a standard response, it reminded me just how important—and sometimes challenging—it is to navigate stakeholder expectations while m...

One of the most common comments we hear from leaders learning a coaching approach is:   “Coaching's fine. But you can't coach everyone. Most of my team I have to mentor them... and tell them what to do because they have no idea.”   It's a familiar reaction.   As leaders begin shifting from a telling and directing mindset towards a coaching approach, resistance is inevitable. The que...

Last time in the Coaching Café, we explored the important role that coaches can play in supporting mental health in the workplace while maintaining clear professional boundaries. This week, we build on that conversation by turning our attention to one of the biggest challenges many leaders, managers and coaches experience—the hesitation to start a mental health conversation. Despite growing awaren...

As we move beyond the end of financial year and settle into the second half of the year, many workplaces are beginning to feel the effects of sustained pressure, competing priorities and ongoing change. It is a timely reminder to check in on our own mental health—and that of those around us. The reality is that you, or someone you know, may be struggling. As coaches, leaders and managers, we are o...

We round off our series on a consistent and regular approach to performance conversations with a huge dose of reality. The reality is that not all performance conversations will go to plan, and some conversations will be genuinely difficult. Despite a manager’s best efforts, there will be times when performance is still not meeting expectations. Adding to this challenge, Gallup research suggests t...

In the Coaching Cafe this week, we continue our conversation around the importance of consistent and regular performance conversations, rather than relying solely on mid-year or annual reviews. This week we specifically focus on performance uplift and how a strengths-based approach enables stronger engagement and improved workplace performance. Research from Gallup and other organisations has cons...

Last week we introduced the idea that the traditional annual or mid-year performance review is increasingly under the spotlight, with some organisations moving away from the formal review process altogether. This week we continue the conversation with a focus on the coaching mindset that supports regular performance conversations to enable engagement, accountability and high performance in the wor...

This week we begin a new Coaching Cafe series focused on the mid-year performance review. While many leaders and HR teams are preparing for the usual cycle of meetings and conversations, some organisations are taking a very different approach. Increasingly, companies are deciding to move away from formal mid-year and annual review processes altogether, citing the time involved, low engagement and...

Over the past three weeks in the Coaching Café we have been privileged to focus on CEOs who are leading the way with coaching. The series features conversations with CEOs, who are not only supporting coaching in their organisations, but actively role modelling a coaching approach—whether through undertaking coach training themselves, embedding coaching into leadership practice, or enabling a broad...

Over the past two weeks in the Coaching Café we have been privileged to focus on CEOs who are leading the way with coaching. The series features conversations with CEOs, who are not only supporting coaching in their organisations, but actively role modelling a coaching approach—whether through undertaking coach training themselves, embedding coaching into leadership practice, or enabling a broader...

Last week in the Coaching Café kicked off a very special Coaching Café series focused on CEOs who are leading the way with coaching. The series features conversations with CEOs, who are not only supporting coaching in their organisations, but actively role modelling a coaching approach—whether through undertaking coach training themselves, embedding coaching into leadership practice, or enabling a...

This week in the Coaching Café we are delighted to announce the start of a very special Coaching Café series focused on CEOs who are leading the way with coaching. This series is to celebrate International Coaching Week in May (but we are spreading out the celebrations over the month J). This series will feature conversations with leaders, who are not only supporting coaching in their organisation...

Every year, we wait for the release of the Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report. Not just to see the data—but to understand whether, as a global collective, we are making a difference. This year, the headlines are once again hard to ignore. Engagement is down. Managers are struggling. Global employee engagement has fallen to 20%, the lowest level since 2020, with declines continuing for a s...

What does it really take to pass the ICF credential exams? Recently, our very own Paula Jones-Hunt successfully passed her PCC exam, and late last year Brigitte Calvert achieved her MCC credential. Fresh from the combined experience of preparation, pressure, and ultimately the relief and satisfaction of passing, they are taking time out to share their reflections. This is a rare opportunity to hea...

As AI becomes more embedded in the workplace, questions are no longer just about capability—they are about ethics, responsibility, and professional practice. Following our exploration of AI and coaching last week, this week we turn our attention to the ethical implications of using AI in coaching and leadership. What does it mean to use AI responsibly in coaching conversations? Where are the bound...

Apologies for mistake in the previous upload.  As AI continues to reshape how we work, it is also beginning to influence how we think, decide, and lead. In our recent Coaching Café, it was no surprise that we identified AI as one of the most significant trends shaping coaching and leadership conversations in 2026. The question is no longer “Is AI relevant?”—it’s “What should we, as coaches and lea...

Correction- We will be back next week!  In our first Coaching Café series for the year, we’ve explored the leadership capabilities that matter most in 2026—from trends in coaching and leadership, to performance conversations, psychological safety, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and innovation. This week, the Coaching Café is still on a short break—but we didn’t want to move straight in...

Across our first Coaching Café series, we’ve explored the leadership capabilities organisations are prioritising for 2026 and beyond—from psychological safety and emotional intelligence, to critical thinking in the age of AI. This week, we turn our attention to innovation. Innovation is consistently identified as a top leadership capability, yet many organisations struggle to create the conditions...

So far in the Coaching Café Podcast 2026, we’ve explored the trends shaping leadership, performance conversations, psychological safety, and emotional intelligence as a core leadership capability. This week, we turn our attention to critical thinking—increasingly recognised as an essential capability as organisations rapidly adopt AI, automation, and new technologies. As AI accelerates decision-ma...

So far in the Coaching Café Podcast 2026, we’ve explored the trends shaping coaching and leadership, the importance of strong performance conversations, and the role of psychological safety in building trust and engagement. This week, we turn our attention to emotional intelligence—consistently identified as one of the most critical leadership capabilities in today’s workplaces. As work becomes mo...

Over the past two weeks, we’ve explored the trends shaping coaching and leadership conversations in 2026 and the critical role performance conversations play in starting the year with clarity and focus. This week, we go one layer deeper. Workplaces continue to place strong emphasis on psychological safety—and for good reason. Psychological safety builds trust, supports engagement, and enables hone...

Last week, we kicked off Coaching Café Podcast for 2026 by exploring the key trends shaping coaching and leadership conversations this year. One theme stood out clearly: the quality of performance conversations matters more than ever. This week, we turn our focus to performance conversations and their critical role in setting direction, building engagement, and creating momentum at the start of th...

Our newly refreshed Coaching Café Podcast kicks off 2026 with our annual crystal ball on trends in coaching and leadership conversations. Each year, we start by asking a simple question: What’s going to be at the forefront of coaching and leadership conversations this year? So, we stare into our double espresso coffee cups—and the latest research—to bring you our predictions for the conversations,...

In our final Coaching Café Podcast for the year , we take a moment to reflect on what has been another extraordinary series.  In 2025, we’ve explored everything from Trends in Coaching and the ICF Credentialing Exam , to the Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report , coaching for performance conversations , coaching and psychological safety , the new ICF Core Competencies , and of course, our m...

As we approach the end of the year for the Coaching Café Podcast, we continue to share valuable insights for our coaching community. The 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study Final Report has just been released, offering one of the most comprehensive views of the global coaching profession to date.  Featuring data gathered from over 10,000 coaches worldwide —including, importantly, managers and leaders w...