Lucile Flamand on the “Secret Coach” in Leadership

In this episode of Oxtalks, I sit down with Lucile Flamand, Chief Transformation Officer at Bibby Financial Services, to talk about leadership, transformation and something we came to describe as the “Secret Coach”.In an industry driven by targets, pace and performance, coaching is not always the first skill people associate with senior leadership. Yet listening to Lucile, it becomes clear how important the “Secret Coach" has been in shaping her leadership style.It all started early on in Lucile's career when she was fortunate enough to encounter a not-so-secret coach who really caught her attention. Inspired by it, she went on to train formally as a coach and, although she is not overly keen on the word “coach” itself, she recognised the impact these skills would have not just on her, but on those around her.For her, it is not a title. It is a toolkit. A way of leading.We talk about leaders who quietly use coaching skills every day without necessarily calling it that. Asking instead of telling. Creating ownership instead of dependency. Building the kind of psychological safety that allows change to stick.A particularly interesting part of the conversation is the distinction between coaching and mentoring. Mentoring shares experience and advice. Coaching draws out thinking and ownership. Knowing when to use which is a critical skill in developing people, and one many leaders never formally learn.Listening to Lucile, you get the sense that while technical ability matters, it is the ability to ask better questions, give meaningful feedback, manage ego and genuinely support your team that shapes the type of impact you as a leader can have.A thoughtful and practical conversation about modern leadership in financial services and why some of the most effective leaders are coaching behind the scenes.OxTalks is produced by Urban Podcasts.