Episode 20 – From jazz musician to professional coach – Neil Mackinnon’s coaching journey

In this episode, the format is reversed as Lucy Tulloch, head of faculty and coach education at the AoEC, interviews senior faculty member Neil Mackinnon in a reflective and candid conversation about his journey into coaching and his philosophy of practice. Neil shares his unconventional path from a career in music and the arts into coaching, exploring how creativity, listening and presence have shaped his approach. He reflects on the pivotal coaching experience that transformed his career direction and the process of building a practice grounded in relationships, self-awareness and continuous development.Together, they explore what it really means to “be” a coach, moving beyond models and techniques to consider coaching as a relational and creative act. The conversation also highlights the role of coach education in developing reflective practitioners, the impact of faculty, and what differentiates meaningful learning experiences.Looking ahead, they discuss the evolving coaching landscape, including the rise of AI, the importance of ethics and human connection, and the opportunities for coaches to create lasting impact through deeper, more conscious work.This episode will resonate with aspiring coaches, practising professionals and anyone curious about the deeper human work behind effective coaching and coach education. You can connect with our speakers here: ·       Lucy Tulloch, head of faculty & coach education - global, the AoEC – host·       Neil Mackinnon, senior faculty, the AoEC – guest speaker