The Coaching Cafe Podcast

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 organisations, but actively role modelling a coaching approach—whether through undertaking coach training themselves, embedding coaching into leadership practice, or enabling a broader culture of coaching. The intention of this series is to share practical insights from leaders who are “walking the talk”. Our series kicks off with (our very own CEO) Martin Mercer, CEO of the Scentia group of companies that includes AIM, AIM Business School, ACHW, IECL and Open Door.Join Dr Natalie Ashdown as she interviews Martin to explore topics such as:✔️ How coaching forms part of your leadership style ✔️ Why coaching matters in your organisation ✔️ What you’ve observed in terms of impact, performance, and engagement ✔️ Other insights/observations you would like to share about coaching in the workplace.Join us for this inspirational conversation as we consider what becomes possible when coaching is championed at the very top of an organisation.Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 second consecutive year.And yet… that is not always what we are seeing in practice.In the organisations we have the privilege to work with, there are examples of high engagement, strong leadership, and thriving cultures.So what’s really going on?This week, we move beyond the clickbait headlines and take a closer look at the nuances within the data—because there is something that does not make sense and that’s where the real insight sits.Join us as we explore:✔️ What the 2026 Global Workplace Report is really telling us ✔️ Why manager engagement is the critical lever (and why it’s declining) ✔️ The disconnect between AI investment and real workplace outcomes ✔️ What leaders and coaches can actually do to make a differenceThis is not about reacting to the headlines.It’s about understanding the human side of performance—and the role coaching plays in shaping it.Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 hear directly from coaches who have just been through the process—with insights that are current, practical, and grounded in real experience.Whether you are actively preparing for your ACC, PCC, or MCC, or simply thinking about your next step in your coaching journey, this session will help you better understand what’s required and how to approach it.Join Paula and Brigitte as they unpack their experience and answer your questions.You’ll walk away with:✔️ Insights into what it takes to successfully pass the ICF credential exams ✔️ Practical tips for preparing for the PCC and MCC assessments ✔️ What to expect on the day—and how to manage the pressure ✔️ Key reflections on why the effort to credential is so importantThis podcast was recorded on the 27th of March 2026. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 boundaries between support and over-reliance? How do we ensure that coaching remains human-centred, confidential, and ethically grounded?These are not future questions—they are current realities.As coaches and leaders, we are required to exercise sound judgment, maintain trust, and uphold professional standards. The introduction of AI into our work challenges us to think carefully about confidentiality, bias, decision-making, and the role of human insight.Join Natalie and expert panelist Lu Ngo, Head of Digital Skills Programs, Australian Institute of Management (AIM) as we explore the ethical considerations of AI in coaching practice.You’ll walk away with:✔️ Key ethical considerations when using AI in coaching and leadership ✔️ How AI intersects with the ICF Code of Ethics and Core Competencies ✔️ Risks related to confidentiality, bias, and decision-making ✔️ Practical guidance for maintaining ethical coaching practice in an AI-enabled worldTranscripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 leaders, be paying attention to?”AI is changing how information is accessed, how decisions are made, and how quickly solutions can be generated. At the same time, it raises important questions about thinking, judgment, learning, and human capability.This is where coaching becomes even more important.Coaching helps individuals move beyond quick answers to deeper thinking. It supports reflection, challenges assumptions, and ensures that AI enhances—rather than replaces—human capability.Join Natalie and expert panelist Lu Ngo, Head of Digital Skills Programs, Australian Institute of Management (AIM) as we kick off a new series of the Coaching Café and explore what AI means for coaching practice and leadership.You’ll walk away with:✔️ A clear understanding of how AI is influencing coaching and leadership conversations ✔️ What coaches and leaders should be focusing on in an AI-enabled workplace ✔️ The risks of over-reliance on AI—and how coaching mitigates them ✔️ Practical ways to integrate AI awareness into your coaching conversationsTranscripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 into the next series without hearing from you.The Coaching Café is built for you. It’s a space for all of us to learn, reflect, and grow together. So before we shape what’s next, we’d love to know:· What coaching or leadership topics would you most like us to explore?· What conversations are you having—or needing to have—in your workplace right now?· What would be most helpful for your own development as a coach or leader?We invite you to write back to us and share your ideas. Your input will help shape future Coaching Café sessions and ensure we continue focusing on what matters most.We’ll be back next week with the next Coaching Café series—shaped by the conversations that matter to you.Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 where new ideas can emerge, be tested, and be sustained. Innovation requires more than creativity—it relies on trust, curiosity, challenge, and the willingness to think differently.This is where coaching plays a critical role.A coaching approach enables leaders and teams to question assumptions, explore new perspectives, and move beyond habitual ways of thinking. It supports innovation not as a one-off initiative, but as an ongoing capability embedded in everyday conversations and decision-making.Join Natalie and Paula as we explore innovation through a coaching lens.You’ll walk away with:✔️ What innovation really means as a leadership capability ✔️ The conditions required for innovation to thrive in organisations ✔️ How coaching enables curiosity, experimentation, and new thinking ✔️ Practical ways leaders and coaches can foster innovation at workTranscripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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-making and access to information, the real challenge for leaders is not having answers, but thinking well. Critical thinking enables leaders and teams to question assumptions, interpret information thoughtfully, make sound judgments, and avoid simply outsourcing thinking to systems and tools.This is where coaching plays a vital role.A coaching approach slows the conversation down just enough to create space for reflection, challenge, and deeper thinking. It helps leaders and teams move beyond quick answers to considered decisions—especially in complex, fast-moving environments.Join Natalie and Paula as we explore how coaching enables critical thinking at work.You’ll walk away with:✔️ What critical thinking really means in today’s workplace ✔️ Why critical thinking is more important than ever in the age of AI ✔️ How coaching supports better thinking, judgment, and decision-making ✔️ A practical framework for developing critical thinking through coachingTranscripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 more complex, pressured, and human, leaders are increasingly expected to navigate emotions—their own and others’—with awareness, empathy, and skill. Emotional intelligence underpins how leaders communicate, build trust, handle performance conversations, and create psychologically safe environments.This is where coaching plays a powerful role.Coaching creates the space for reflection, self-awareness, perspective-taking, and behaviour change—key elements of emotional intelligence. It supports leaders to respond rather than react, and to lead in ways that strengthen relationships and performance.Join Paula as we explore emotional intelligence through a coaching lens.You’ll walk away with:✔️ A clear understanding of emotional intelligence and why it matters now more than ever ✔️ How emotional intelligence shows up in everyday leadership and performance conversations ✔️ The role coaching plays in developing emotional intelligence ✔️ Practical ways to support leaders to build emotional intelligence at workThis is your space to stay informed, reflect on practice, and connect coaching to what’s happening in real workplaces—right now. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 honest, productive performance conversations. Without it, even well-intended conversations can fall flat.This is where coaching plays a vital role.Coaching creates the conditions for people to speak up, reflect, and take ownership—making it a powerful enabler of psychological safety. And as leaders, it is incumbent upon us to create environments where people feel safe to have meaningful conversations about performance, growth, and expectations.Join Natalie and Paula as we explore the connection between psychological safety, performance conversations, and coaching.You’ll walk away with:✔️ A clear understanding of psychological safety and why it matters ✔️ How psychological safety enables strong performance conversations ✔️ The role coaching plays in building trust and engagement ✔️ Practical ways leaders and coaches can foster psychological safety at workThis is your space to stay informed, reflect on practice, and connect coaching to what’s happening in real workplaces—right now. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 the year.Research consistently shows that when performance conversations are done well, employees are more engaged, more productive, and clearer about what’s expected of them. When they’re done poorly—or avoided altogether—engagement suffers and performance declines. That’s why, as leaders and coaches, we have a responsibility to partner with managers and help them get this right.Join Natalie and Paula as we explore how coaching can elevate performance conversations and support leaders to start the year with intention and focus.You’ll walk away with:✔️ The research that explains why performance conversations are so important ✔️ The key focus areas that make these conversations meaningful and effective ✔️ A practical coaching framework you can use straight away—one we know makes a real differenceThis is your space to stay informed, reflect on practice, and connect coaching to what’s happening in real workplaces—right now.Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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, trends, and challenges shaping workplaces right now. We explore what’s on the minds of leaders, what coaches are being asked to support, and what to stay alert to as the year unfolds.By exploring these trends, you’ll gain insight into the latest thinking and how it’s likely to show up in real coaching and leadership conversations in 2026.You’ll walk away with:✔️ The key coaching and leadership trends shaping 2026 ✔️ Insights into the conversations leaders are having—or avoiding ✔️ Emerging challenges and capability gaps to watch for ✔️ Ideas you can apply immediately in your coaching and leadership practiceJoin Natalie (yes, Dr Natalie Ashdown 😉) and Paula as they kick off the Coaching Café year with insight, curiosity, and practical relevance. This is your space to stay informed, reflect on practice, and connect coaching to what’s happening in real workplaces—right now.We’re delighted to be back and look forward to learning, sharing, and making a difference together in 2026.Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 much-loved Coaching in Action series featuring PCC and MCC-level demonstrations. All with free Continuing Coach Education (CCE’s) attached. Across over 30 Coaching Café Podcasts, with only a handful of breaks, you have joined us from all around the world —to connect, learn, and reflect on coaching practice and the profession…and of course to give us the weekly global weather report! This week, we celebrate the year that was:  ✔️ A countdown of our most popular Coaching Café podcasts of 2025  ✔️ The themes and topics that sparked the most conversation  ✔️ Insights and moments that shaped our collective learning  ✔️ A look ahead to what’s coming in 2026 Whether you’ve joined us every week or tuned in occasionally, this final Coaching Café podcast is your chance to pause, reflect, and celebrate our global coaching community. Let’s swap the coffee for a glass of champagne and celebrate the difference we’ve made—together. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 who coach—this 73-page report provides a rich picture of where the coaching industry stands today and where it’s heading. We know many coaches don’t have time to read the full report, and that’s where we come in. Join us for this Coaching Café Podcast as we synthesise the key highlights, focusing on what’s most relevant for Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia-Pacific region, while also exploring the global trends shaping the coaching profession for our international followers. You’ll walk away with: ✔️ The latest data on industry growth, trends, and demographics ✔️ Insights into coaching opportunities in our region ✔️ A global perspective on the evolution of the coaching profession including managers and leaders as coaches ✔️ Inspiration to help you feel a part of the global coaching profession. Whether you’re an experienced coach, a manager or leader who coaches, or an emerging practitioner, this session will help you stay informed, inspired, and connected to the wider profession. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

This week, a short message from Natalie recaping the past couple of weeks of the Coaching Cafe Podcast. We will be back next week with a new Coaching Cafe Podcast! Also shiny new podcast logo! oooooo, let us know what you think via email or social media! Should we bring back the old one or is this a much needed upgrade! Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

As you will be aware the ICF Core Competencies have been revised and during the Coaching Cafe Podcasts we have been diving deeper into some of the more thought-provoking changes. Some are simple to understand, while others invite us—as coaches—to pause and reflect. This week, we turn our attention to one of the more controversial updates: the introduction of the word ‘knowledge’ in the revised ICF Core Competencies. The updated competency now states that the coach “shares observations, knowledge, and feelings, without attachment, that have the potential to create new insights for the client.” But what does this really mean? How do we interpret “knowledge” within the coaching partnership? Does this blur the line between coaching, mentoring, and consulting—or does it expand our understanding of what’s possible in coaching? Join us for this Coaching Café Podcast as we explore: ✔️ The context and intent behind this update to the ICF Core Competencies ✔️ How “knowledge” aligns with the ICF definition of coaching ✔️ What this means for your coaching practice and ethical boundaries ✔️ How to share knowledge without attachment—and still evoke awareness Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or a new coach, this session will challenge your thinking and help you navigate what “knowledge” means in professional coaching today. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

What is your coaching philosophy? A deeper dive into the ICF Core Competency changes Recently, we shared the significant updates to the new ICF Core Competencies and over the coming weeks, we’ll be diving deeper into some of the key changes. Some of these updates are straightforward, others more controversial—and many invite deeper reflection from us as coaches. This week on the podcast, we explore a question that sits at the heart of our workplace and professional coaching: What is your coaching philosophy? Your coaching philosophy shapes how you show up, partner with clients, and embody the ICF Core Competencies in every conversation. It reflects your beliefs about human potential, change, and learning—and it evolves as your coaching practice grows. Join us for this Coaching Café Podcast as we explore: ✔️ What a coaching philosophy is and why it matters ✔️ How to articulate your unique coaching philosophy ✔️ How your philosophy connects to the ICF Core Competencies and ethical practice ✔️ Ways to reflect on and refine your philosophy as your coaching matures Whether you’re a new coach or an experienced practitioner, this podcast will help you reconnect with what defines you as a coach—and what guides your practice. NOTE: We found the defnition of Coaching Philosophy in the Glossary of the updated competencies! "The underlying theory, beliefs and principles, that guide a coach's practice and interactions with clients"Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

How coaching enables psychological safety in the workplace This week on the coaching cafe podcast, as part of our focus on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, we’re exploring the powerful link between coaching and psychological safety. Psychological safety is the shared belief that it’s safe to speak up, share ideas, ask questions, and admit mistakes—without fear of judgment or repercussion. It’s the foundation of healthy, high-performing teams. So why is psychological safety so important? Because when people feel safe, they can learn, innovate, and perform at their best. And when leaders and managers adopt a coaching mindset, they help create that safety. This week on the Coaching Café podcast, join Paula as we unpack: ✔️ What psychological safety really means in the workplace ✔️ Why it’s essential for mental health, performance, and engagement ✔️ How coaching enables psychological safety through trust, curiosity, and empathy Whether you’re a leader, a coach, or someone passionate about workplace wellbeing, this Coaching Café is your opportunity to reflect on how coaching behaviours build safe spaces where people can thrive. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Last Friday was World Mental Health Day!We want to acknowledge that you—or someone you know—may be experiencing challenges with mental health. We recognise that as leaders, coaches, colleagues and friends, we all have a role to play in enabling strong mental health in our workplaces and breaking down the barriers to having mental health conversations.  Join Paula on the Coaching Café Podcast this week as we discuss the barriers to mental health conversations and simple steps we can take to overcome those barriers. We also encourage you to take the time for your own wellbeing. Take 30 minutes to focus on your mental health—whatever that looks like for you. Walk, talk, catch up with a colleague, listen to music, laugh, run, jump, breathe, meditate…whatever it is—now is the time. Let’s honour World Mental Health Day by putting conversations and wellbeing first. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

This week on the Podcast! The new ICF Core Competencies have just been released, reflecting how coaching practice has evolved since the 2019 update. However, one word in the update is causing concern across coaching educators and practitioners, making social media light up! That word is: knowledge. Whilst no new main competencies have been added, five new sub-competencies have been added along with 11 revisions to existing sub-competencies. Understanding these changes is essential if we are to ensure our alignment with the profession and the international standards that guide it. Therefore, join Natalie and Brigette on the podcast  we unpack the changes and summarise: ✔️ What are the major changes to the ICF Core Competencies? ✔️ Why the word knowledge is causing so much concern? ✔️ What do the updates mean for your coaching practice? Whether you are new to coaching or an experience practitioner, keeping up to date with the ICF Core Competencies is a must. Join us as we continue our professional development as coaches. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

In the Coaching Café Podcast last week, we listened to the first half of a coaching demonstration focused on the highest level of coaching competency - the MCC level of coaching. We invited you to tune in deeply—listening for presence, partnership, curiosity, evoking awareness, and how the coach explored thinking at a deeper level. This week, we listen to and debrief the second half of the session. Whether you’re preparing for a credential or simply want to take your coaching to the next level, this is a powerful learning opportunity. Let’s listen. Let’s reflect. Let’s grow—together. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

This week on the Coaching Café Podcast , we are continuing our deep dive into our coaching practice with another coaching demonstration—this time we have the privilege of listening to coaching at the highest level of ICF credential, an MCC-level coaching demonstration. This week’s Coaching Café Podcast is another chance to listen deeply—not to judge, but to grow. We invite you to reflect on what you hear, observe how the ICF Core Competencies come to life, with a particular emphasis on identifying what raises a conversation to the MCC level.  We will listen to the first half of the session and then debrief the session together. Next week, we’ll come together to listen to the second half of the session and discuss how to apply these insights in your own coaching. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

In the Coaching Café Podcast last week, we listened to the first half of a coaching demonstration focused on the PCC level of coaching competency. We invited you to tune in deeply—listening for presence, partnership, curiosity, evoking awareness, and how the coach explored thinking at a deeper level. This week, we will listen to the second half of the session and debrief what you heard. Join us as we reflect on the conversation and explore: ✔️ What coaching at the PCC level really sounds like ✔️ How the ICF Core Competencies were demonstrated✔️ What deep presence and partnership actually sounds like in practice ✔️ How you can apply these insights to grow your own coaching Whether you’re preparing for a credential or simply want to take your coaching to the next level, this is a powerful learning opportunity. Let’s listen. Let’s reflect. Let’s grow—together. 🎯 Continuing our professional development as coaches. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

This week in the Coaching Café Podcast, we are continuing our deep dive into our coaching practice with another coaching demonstration—where we are particularly listening for PCC-level coaching competencies. This is your opportunity to listen again with intention and curiosity. What does it sound like when a coach truly demonstrates: 🎧 Coaching presence 🎧 Evoking awareness 🎧 Digging under the surface 🎧 Creating metaphors 🎧 Exploring new thinking 🎧 Partnering—not leading This week’s Coaching Café Podcast is another chance to listen deeply—not to judge, but to grow. We invite you to reflect on what you hear, observe how the ICF Core Competencies come to life, with a particular emphasis on identifying what raises a conversation to the PCC level. Join Natalie and Brigitte as we listen to the first half of the session and then debrief the session together. Next week, we’ll come together to listen to the second half of the session and discuss how to apply these insights in your own coaching. 🎯 Continuing our professional development as coaches. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Last week, we invited you to sit back, tune in, and listen to a coaching demonstration—a real conversation designed to bring the ICF Core Competencies to life. We listened to and debriefed the first half of the coaching session. This week, we listen to and debrief the second half of the sessionJoin us as we unpack the coaching conversation together and explore: ✔️ How the ICF Core Competencies showed up in real time  ✔️ What stands out to you about presence, partnership, listening, or questioning? ✔️ How did the coach uphold the ICF Core Competencies? ✔️ Where are the opportunities to deepen the learning? ✔️ What you can apply in your own coaching conversations? This Coaching Café is a hands-on learning opportunity for all coaches.  Let’s explore how we grow when we listen closely, reflect and debrief —together. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Over the past few Coaching Cafés, we’ve explored the ICF Core Competencies through the lens of assessment: what competent coaching looks like at ACC and PCC levels, and what can lead to an instant fail. Over the next few Coaching Cafés, we invite you to shift from talking about coaching… to experiencing coaching in action. This week join us for a recorded coaching demonstration, where you’ll have the chance to: 🎧 Listen to a coaching conversation 🎧 Observe how the ICF Core Competencies come to life in real time 🎧 Reflect on what you notice about establishing the coaching agreement, partnership, and curiosity This is a valuable opportunity to tune in, compare your observations with ICF standards, and deepen your learning through listening to an experienced coach. A chance to listen deeply and then debrief together. This week we listen to half of the coaching session, then, we will debrief the session and unpack what you heard. The following week we listen to the second half of the session – so you don’t want to miss this one. 🎯 Raising the bar for ourselves as coaches. Editor's note. Approx 2 mins of silence in total was removed. Natalie gave the coachee time to really contemplate their answers. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

So far in this Coaching Café series, we’ve explored what competent coaching looks like at the ACC and PCC levels. In this Podcast, we’re flipping the perspective and asking an equally important question: What constitutes an instant fail in a coaching conversation—or during a credentialing exam? This Podcast is not about fear—it’s about sharpening our coaching awareness. ✨ What are the behaviours that assessors flag as “not yet competent” right away? ✨ What coaching practices break the partnership—or move away from core competency? ✨ How can we tighten up our coaching approach to avoid these common pitfalls? Join Brigitte Calvert, Open Door’s Learning and Development Manager and long-standing ICF assessor, as she shares insights from years of assessing coaching conversations across all levels. Hosted by Natalie Ashdown, this Café is your chance to: ✔️ Learn what leads to an instant fail in ICF credential assessments ✔️ Spot these pitfalls in your own coaching practice ✔️ Make small, powerful changes that protect the coaching partnership and elevate your competence Whether you're preparing for credentialing or simply want to coach with greater impact, this is a Coaching Café you won’t want to miss. Let’s raise the standard—together. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Last week we kicked off our new Coaching Café season by exploring what competent coaching looks like at the ACC level. This week, we’re taking it up a notch as we unpack PCC-level coaching—and what it truly means to coach at that next level.  ✨ What distinguishes a competent coach from a PCC coach? ✨ What does it sound like when you're coaching at the PCC level? ✨ What are the most common things that hold coaches back from reaching PCC standards?  Hosted by Paula Jones-Hunt, join us as Brigitte Calvert, Open Door’s Learning and Development Manager and long-time ICF assessor, shares her perspective from listening to and evaluating hundreds of coaching demonstrations at the PCC level.  This session will help you: ✔️ Understand the jump in depth and complexity expected at PCC ✔️ Recognise how mindset, presence and partnership evolve at this level ✔️ Identify your own development priorities if you're working toward PCC—or want to deepen your coaching  Whether you're actively preparing for your credential, mentoring other coaches, or simply want to elevate your coaching practice, this Coaching Café is packed with insights. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

After focusing on how we coach others in the past series, we’re now turning the lens inward. In this new Coaching Café series, we shift the focus to our own coaching development - starting with a deep dive into the ACC level of competency. ✨ What does competent coaching look like, sound like, and feel like? ✨ What behaviours or practices might be deemed not yet competent under the ICF Core Competencies? ✨ Would your coaching be assessed as competent against international standards? This week, you’ll have the unique opportunity to learn from Open Door’s Learning and Development Manager, Brigitte Calvert. With over 20 years of experience as an ICF assessor, Brigitte brings expert insights from listening to and giving feedback on hundreds of coaching demonstrations. Along with insights from Paula Jones-Hunt, you’ll get clear, practical insights into what makes a coach competent - and what doesn’t. Whether you’re working toward your ACC or want to refine your coaching at any level, this session will help you: ✔️ Understand how coaching is assessed at ACC level ✔️ Recognise the difference between competent and not-yet-competent coaching ✔️ Identify a few key areas to focus your own development 🎯 Let’s start the new season by raising the bar for ourselves as coaches. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve focused our Coaching Café series on one of the most critical leadership and coaching opportunities: annual performance conversations. We’ve explored: ✔️ How performance conversations can build engagement ✔️ How coaching shifts under-performance ✔️ How to prepare better questions ✔️ How to coach through the tricky conversations ✔️ How strengths-based conversations can create a 36% uplift in performance Now it’s time to bring it all together. This Coaching Café is your chance to take stock, reflect, and finish strong. Whether you’ve already had your conversations, are still in the middle of them, or are preparing for future discussions - this session will help you refine your approach and apply the coaching mindset with confidence. Join Natalie and Paula as they share: 💬 Key takeaways from the Coaching Café series 💬 The biggest lessons for making performance conversations meaningful 💬 Practical coaching reminders you can apply year-round 💬 How coaching conversations are the key to building ongoing engagement and performance Let’s bring home performance season strong - and set your coaching conversations up for success all year long.Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Recently, during a workshop, a manager said what many others are thinking: “It’s not all rainbows and lollipops. What if they are under performing? What do you do then?” The frustration was real, and it is common.  This was a manager doing their best to support an employee but unsure what else to try; and they needed more strategies, and wanted to understand how coaching might help.  With this in mind, we continue our focus on annual performance review season in this week’s Coaching Café Pocast.   So far, we’ve explored how these conversations can build engagement in the workplace; frameworks and tips to set up conversations for success; strengths-based conversations and the trickier conversations. This week, join Natalie and Paula as we explore one of the most challenging topics: how a coaching approach can shift under performance. You’ll walk away with: A coaching mindset/approach to address under performance constructively Strategies for reframing these conversations to build ownership Practical tools from Open Door you can use immediately Whether you’re designing performance conversations, coaching managers, or coaching an employee – you will benefit from learning how to coach around under performance. If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday. If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.    In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays, just like we all do! Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

We continue our focus on annual performance review season in this week’s Coaching Café Podcast and how these conversations can build engagement in the workplace. So far, we’ve shared frameworks and tips to set up conversations for success. Now it’s time to talk about the trickier conversations. A frustrated manager recently asked us: “What do you do about people who think they’re meeting expectations, but they aren’t? Or worse, they don’t have goals. They’re not engaged. They’re just working to retirement. You still have to write something on the form!” We hear this all the time and it’s exactly where coaching can help. This week, join Natalie and Paula as we explore how a coaching approach can shift even the most challenging performance conversations. You’ll walk away with: An understanding of how/why conversations become difficult Strategies for reframing these conversations A practical tool from Open Door you can use right away Whether you’re designing performance conversations, coaching managers, or facing your own review – you will benefit from learning how to coach through the difficult conversations. If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday. If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.   In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays, just like we all do! Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Performance conversations aren’t just a HR requirement – they are an opportunity to drive real engagement. Research shows that when managers focus on strengths during performance conversations, it can lead to a 36.5% uplift in performance. That’s not all - engagement increases, productivity rises, and absenteeism drops. When we first came across this data years ago, we said, “Tell us more!” It was the beginning of our commitment to a strengths-based approach to coaching and one that has grown in relevance as we look at the low engagement scores across our workplaces. Today, workplaces are under pressure. People feel tired, under-valued, and stretched. But this is exactly where coaching makes the difference. Especially when it comes to the annual performance review. Therefore, join Natalie and Paula for our Coaching Café Podcast this week as we share: The power of strengths-based conversations How coaching shifts the tone of performance reviews Practical tools to help your team leave energised - not deflated And we turn performance reviews into a genuine engagement strategy. If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday.If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.  .  In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesday lunchtimes, just like we all do! Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

International Coach Week: Your chance to hear from an inspirational leader This year, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) marks its 30th anniversary – 30 years of inspiring change through coaching and setting the standards for our profession. It’s the perfect week to celebrate who we are as coaches – and to recognise the difference each of us makes as part of the Open Door Alumni. In terms of making a difference, this year we have the opportunity to learn from Hayley Goldsmith from who is currently serving as a Clinical Team Leader at Victoria Police. Join Natalie as she interviews Hayley on her remarkable career and how she has applied coaching in very different contexts, from ANZ Bank to her current role at Victoria Police.  Join us for the special presentation for International Coach Week. About Hayley  With over 22 years of professional experience and a decade specialising in leadership coaching, Hayley is passionate about empowering individuals and teams to reach their full potential.  Currently serving as a Clinical Team Leader at Victoria Police, Hayley brings a unique blend of leadership, coaching and clinical expertise to her work. Hayley is passionate about coaching, mental health support and initiatives and the well-being of others.   Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Is the annual performance conversation season a chance to turn around engagement? Last week kicked off our new Coaching Café Podcast series by unpacking the newly released Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report for 2025.  But the headlines are hard to ignore: Is the global workplace at breaking point? Employee engagement on the brink (of collapse) Management engagement falls from 30% to 27% (no other worker category has experienced as significant decline). This round of Coaching Cafés Podcasts we are focusing on enabling effective performance conversations. Understandably, this might feel worrying for some managers, given low engagement scores.  However, we believe there is a real opportunity. If done right, the annual performance conversation season could be a chance for many managers to begin the turnaround of employee engagement.  Therefore, join Natalie and Paula as we explore: 💡 How to approach performance conversations as a catalyst for engagement 💡 Why traditional performance reviews often miss the mark 💡 Coaching strategies to make annual conversations more meaningful Let’s focus on enabling effective performance conversations …and see how coaching can make a difference.   If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday.If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.  In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays, just like we all do!  Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

The Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2025 report has just landed. Call us nerds, but we dropped everything to download it. Like many, we hoped to see improvements in global workplace engagement. After all, increasing engagement feels like a shared crusade among leaders, coaches, and organisations alike. Now join Natalie and Paula as they kick off a new series of Coaching Cafe Podcasts. This series will focus on enabling effective performance conversations - which may be a worrying time for some, given low engagement scores. But first let’s get a handle on the current state of our workforce in today's podcast. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

This week Natalie reflects on ANZAC day. For those unfamiliar with the day, ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and the day commemorates the 25th of April 1915, the day the Anzac's landed in Gallipoli in the 1st world war. While the day was originally intended to honour the over 8,000 lives lost in the campaign, the day now honours all service people who have lost their lives to war. Lest we forget. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored ethics in coaching through the lens of the ICF Core Competencies - not just as a checkbox for membership renewal, but as a lived practice.  We’ve explored: ✔️ Our own ethical decision-making as coaches ✔️ Stakeholder agreements & confidentiality ✔️ The ethical use of AI in coaching Now join Natalie and Paula our final Coaching Café Podcast in this series, as we open the floor to your biggest ethical questions in coaching. 💡 What are the ethical dilemmas you’ve faced in your coaching practice? 💡 How do you navigate ethical grey areas (if any) when coaching in organisations? 💡 What questions do you have for us?  This is a chance to reflect, challenge, and strengthen our ethical coaching practice. Let’s make it an insightful, engaging, and valuable conversation! If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each TuesdayIf you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.  In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesday lunchtimes, just like we all do!Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

AI in Coaching – A Practical Demonstration Following our thought-provoking discussion on the ethical use of AI in coaching last week, it’s time to take the conversation further. Can AI really improve coaching?  Can it assess coaching conversations against the ICF Core Competencies?  Can it even coach us on a topic? In this Coaching Café Podcast, Natalie and Paula will move beyond theory and demonstrate AI in action. We will focus on: ✅ Using AI to enhance coaching – How AI can analyse coaching conversations and provide feedback based on ICF Core Competencies. ✅ AI as a coaching tool – Can AI hold a coaching conversation? Let’s put it to the test. ✅ What AI can’t do (yet!) – The limits of AI, why it won’t replace human coaches. This session will be practical, and thought-provoking, giving you firsthand experience of AI’s role in coaching—while reinforcing the irreplaceable value of human connection. Join us as we explore the possibilities… and the boundaries! If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday. If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.   In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesda just like we all do! You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year. Do this using the channels below.  Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Ethical use of AI in Coaching – is it cheating? I had just finished writing the new coaching assignment Ethical Use of AI in Coaching for our Certificate IV in Workplace and Business Coaching (11314NAT) program. The assignment requires students to analyse a transcript using an AI tool with the aim of improving the coaching.  And suddenly, the thought hit me: is this cheating? As professional workplace coaches, we must stay ahead of industry developments. At the same time, we are deeply committed to ethical coaching practices. How do we balance both? Join Natalie and Paula in this week’s Coaching Café Podcast as we kick off a new series exploring AI in Coaching. We’ll discuss: ✅ How AI can enhance coaching conversations ✅ Ethical considerations and boundaries in using AI ✅ Practical ways to integrate AI while maintaining professional integrity Let’s navigate this evolving landscape together. See you there! If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each week.  If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.  In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to the Tuesday release day, just like we all do! You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year! Email us or contact us on social media if you'd like. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

The meeting was between myself, the HR Manager and the coachee’s manager and I was taking a brief about a potential coaching opportunity. The question was asked ‘so what kind of reporting do you do?’. I offered my standard response regarding confidentiality and who reports the outcomes of the coaching to whom. But to be frank, since we have our standard responses, it is not something that we spend a lot of time thinking about. And at the same time, it made me realise how we never take for granted the nature of the confidential relationship between coach and coachee. And how important it is to navigate the requirements of stakeholders whilst maintaining confidentiality. As professional workplace coaches, this is an important part of setting up the coaching agreement. In fact, it is written into the ICF Core Competency: Demonstrates Ethical Practice. So this week on the Coaching Café Podcast, join Natalie and Paula as we continue our deeper dive into the ICF Core Competency of Demonstrates Ethical Practice and explore how to: ✔️ Maintain confidentiality in coaching ✔️ Navigate stakeholder agreements ✔️ Set clear expectations in coaching contracts ✔️ Respond to common questions about reporting We’ll also provide a practical framework for handling conversations like the one above. If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each TuesdayIf you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.  In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays, just like we all do!  You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year by emailing us using the email below. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

You can’t coach everyone! Maintaining the distinction between coaching and other services ‘Coaching’s fine. And I’m not trying to be controversial. But you can’t coach everyone. I reckon most of my team I have to mentor them. And tell them what to do, because they have no idea.’ The comment was in response to a question I asked a group of managers, as part of our discussion about ‘what is coaching, and what is it not?’.  I simply asked: ‘do you have any questions?’  It was obviously more of a statement, than a question. But what is interesting, is that this comment is very common.  When we are coaching managers to move their mindset from ‘telling and directing’ to a coaching mindset, there is going to be resistance. However, as professional workplace coaches, the distinction between coaching and other techniques is extremely important. In fact, it is written into the ICF Core Competency: Demonstrates Ethical Practice. So this week on the Coaching Café Podcast, join Natalie and Paula as we continue our deeper dive into the ICF Core Competency of Demonstrates Ethical Practice and explore why maintaining clear boundaries between coaching and other leadership styles is essential. Most importantly, we will provide a practical framework to help you: ✔️ Distinguish between coaching and other services ✔️ Respond to resistance from managers ✔️ Maintain ethical coaching practices ✔️ Apply the ICF Core Competencies in real-life scenarios  If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.    In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays, just like we all do!  You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year. Contact us via our email to do so! Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Many of us have received the ICF membership renewal email. The process is simple: click the link, accept the terms, select your currency and branch, and pay. If everything runs smoothly, it takes about five minutes—as long as you remember your password and don’t overthink “What do I get for my money?” (That’s a topic for another day! )However, we encourage you NOT to just tick the box on the terms and conditions. Of course, my mum always said, “Never sign something you haven’t read.” But more importantly, when you check that box, you’re agreeing to abide by the ICF Code of Ethics and uphold the Core Values and Ethical Principles.When was the last time you read the Code?This isn’t clickbait—“Breaking news: Coaches refuse to sign the Code of Ethics!” Instead, it’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and reaffirm the principles that guide our practice as professional coaches.Therefore, join us this week on the Coaching Café, as Natalie and Paula explore the ICF Code of Ethics and discuss how it shapes ethical coaching practices. Take this opportunity to revisit the Code, reflect on its meaning, and strengthen your commitment to professional coaching. We will explore: Why the ICF Code of Ethics matters How to apply ethical principles in coaching The role of Core Values in professional practice Key takeaways for coaching integrity Don’t just tick the box—explore what it means to be an ethical coach!Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

At Open Door we get a lot of questions about the ICF Credential Exam.  The Exam is an important component of applying for an ICF credential and all candidates for ACC, PCC or MCC are required to pass the Exam. The Exam is a tool to measure a coach’s knowledge of the ICF definition of coaching, ICF Core Competencies and ICF Code of Ethics.According to the ICF, in 2023, 9,795 coaches sat the ICF Credentialling Exam, with 75% passing on their first attempt, 12% passing on the subsequent attempt. The overall pass rate was 87%.Having recently passed the exam on her first attempt, we thought it might be a good opportunity to pick Paula’s brains about how to prepare for the test? What do I need to know? And gather any tips and advice.Join Paula as she unravels the mystery around the ICF Credentialling Exam, offers her key tips and answers any questions***. ***Note we will not reveal any questions or answers, but we can offer ideas to assist you to feel confident.If obtaining your credential is on your goals list for this year, this is a great webinar to tune into.If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Friday.If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development.  In addition, you have the opportunity to collect ICF CCEU’s for FREE.  In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Friday lunchtimes, just like we all do!You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year.Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

Welcome to the Coaching Café series for 2025!Not long ago we signed off for the year, with a recap on the trends in coaching that we predicated for 2024.  And now here we are, gazing into our re-usable coffee cups and thinking about the important topics that we are likely to influence our workplaces and coaching this year and beyond.As part of the re-accreditation process we conducted research to ensure that our programs meet the industry needs and the ongoing needs of organisations, leader and coaches for professional development.  This research gave us insights into how coaching continues to evolve alongside the changing nature of work, leadership requirements and technology. And allowed us to update the programs accordingly.Join Natalie and Paula to kick off a new and exciting year of Coaching Cafés; as we discuss the top trends that we predict will be raised during coaching conversations in the workplace and also gather your insights into key trends.Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

As we wrap up 2024, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the coaching trends that have defined this year. At the beginning of the year, we shared our predictions and discussed the themes we expected to emerge in coaching. Now, after a busy year we’re excited to revisit these trends and look at how they’ve played out in real time. Join us for the final Coaching Café of the year! We'll reflect on how coaching has influenced workplaces in 2024, share insights from our work, and discuss emerging themes that may shape coaching in the year to come. Let’s celebrate the progress made and prepare to embrace new opportunities in 2025.Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

As the end of the year approaches, now is the ideal time to reflect, reset, and set meaningful goals. But it’s not just about making resolutions; it’s about creating sustainable plans that align with our values and drive us forward. Join us for this Coaching Café, where we’ll explore effective goal-setting strategies that go beyond typical New Year’s resolutions. Together, we’ll discuss tools for gaining clarity, setting actionable intentions, and building the momentum you need to make real progress in 2025. Let’s start the year with purpose and set ourselves up for success!"Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

With the end of the year approaching momentum and motivation seem harder to maintain. With fatigue setting in, it can be tough to stay focused. But it’s not all doom and gloom. As we approach the final stretch of the year, we can take simple, intentional actions to reignite our energy and keep ourselves—and our teams—moving forward. In this Coaching Café, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to keep the momentum alive, even when things feel tough. Together, we'll discuss how we can motivate ourselves and support others to stay on track as we head into the next quarter, with a strong finish in mind. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

"Have you ever felt like you’re not getting it ‘perfectly’ right as a coach?" The truth is, no one ever does. Perfection isn’t the goal. Instead, it’s about showing up consistently—being present for your coachees, staying engaged in the process, and continuously growing as a coach. It’s not about having all the answers, but about creating a space where growth happens, even through imperfection. In past Coaching Café sessions, we’ve explored real coaching scenarios, from working with clients under stress to coaching when it feels easier to just give advice. We’ve discussed how to apply ICF competencies, use effective coaching questions, and hold space for our coachees in a way that supports their growth. In this upcoming session, we’ll dive into why consistency in your coaching approach matters more than perfection. We’ll explore how staying present, open, and engaged in every coaching moment helps both you and your clients evolve. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

‘I’m not sure it’s my role’, was a comment we received recently during a presentation on mental health conversations in the workplace.   We may notice that a work colleague or client is not their normal self. Perhaps their behaviour has changed or the language they are using and their demeanour is different. But the person in the workshop was worried that they didn’t really ‘feel it was their place’ to approach the person. It's not uncommon to wonder whether it’s your job to start a mental health conversation or actually how to do that.  Alternatively, whether you should get others involved, for example HR.  In addition, as a manager or coach, when do you take off your coaching hat, and focus on a mental health conversation? Thursday 10th October marked World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2024 in Australia and the WHO states that World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to ‘raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in the support of mental health.’ And the official theme of WMHD is: It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace Therefore, we thought we’d use the Coaching Café to focus mental health conversations in the workplace. So join Natalie and Paula as they focus on mental health in the workplace and talk about the role we can play, including what to say, what not to say and overcoming barriers to the conversation.Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow! Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!