In the premiere episode of our Coaching as a Leader podcast series, host Simone Sweeney talks to coach, supervisor and author Jen Kidby, and AC Head of Corporate Membership and Accreditation, Victoria Leith, to discuss the important topic of leader as coach and the launch of the AC’s new book: Coaching as a Leader. Together, they share the inspiration behind the book and explore why coaching skills are now essential for leaders navigating today’s complex, people-centred workplaces. Designed to set the stage for the series, this conversation offers a compelling introduction to the evolving role of leadership in driving culture, engagement, and performance through coaching.

Jen and Victoria delve into the core themes of Coaching as a Leader, including the shift from directive, top-down management to a more collaborative, coaching-led leadership style. They highlight how key coaching competencies—such as emotional intelligence, active listening, and self-awareness—are crucial for fostering trust, clarity, and resilience within teams. The episode also offers practical guidance for leaders looking to integrate a coaching mindset into their everyday practice. Jen and Victoria emphasize the importance of aligning these skills with organizational values and strategy to create lasting impact, and the growing trend of coaching as an essential component of organizational culture post-pandemic.

An inspiring conversation for leaders of any level, as well as the coaches supporting them in our ever-changing world.

You will learn:

· Coaching-oriented leadership fosters stronger, more supportive organizational cultures.

· Core coaching skills—like self-awareness, active listening, and emotional intelligence—are vital for effective modern leadership.

· Aligning coaching practices with organizational purpose enhances both individual and business performance.

“They're realizing that coaching is becoming a must, with people and strategies. Companies that are focusing on coaching cultures see a higher engagement, for various different things like innovation and retention.”

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For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:

https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-coaching-as-a-leader-coaching-skills-leadership-book

In this episode of our Day in the Life series, we speak with coach, supervisor, TedX speaker, and author Val Mullally. Join us for a rich and thought-provoking conversation that explores reflective supervision, psychological safety, parenting coaching, self-care, and so much more.

Discover Val’s inspiring journey from schoolteacher to coach, and how her passion for emotional intelligence and child development evolved into her work in coaching and supervision. Val unpacks her unique TRAKC© model, a simple yet profound framework designed to support psychological safety in coaching relationships.

She shares her thoughts on parenting, and the impact of childhood experiences on adult behaviour and relationships, as well as why coaching supervision is reflective and not hierarchical. Val also discusses Kubler-Ross, Gabor Mate and others who have inspired her work. The conversation dives into grief, forgiveness, the need for feminine energy in the world and the wonders of using creative modalities in coaching and supervision. This is years of wisdom packed into one hour just for you!

You will learn:

· More about the TRAKC© model and how you can attend her upcoming webinar

· Why Val believes supervision is an essential practice for every coach

· The need for continuous learning and adaptation in the coaching profession

“I think supervision is absolutely foundational to being present in a way that really holds and supports and values people.”

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content.

For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:

https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_day-in-the-life-of-coaches-reflective-supervisor-author

In this episode, we explore how coaching has been integrated into RELEASE, a bereavement programme which uses exercise in the form of non-contact boxing and mindfulness to enable participants to express their emotions and focus on their own individual outcomes. Host Julie Flower is joined by Claire Henry MBE, a coach specialising in palliative and end-of-life care, who shares her involvement with RELEASE to support those dealing with grief. Claire explains how the programme works and what a typical session looks like. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe, non-judgmental environment and highlights the program's incredible positive impact on participants' emotional and physical well-being.

Claire explains how participants benefit from an environment where they did not have to talk and where ‘all emotions were allowed.’ Learn why participants preferred a coaching approach instead of counselling, and why peer support was also a vital part of the programme. Claire explains how the programme was funded, evaluated and what they are planning in the future, providing lots of valuable tips for coaches who may be interested in this type of work. This innovative programme demonstrates the power of combining disciplines to aid healing, and improve wellbeing.

You will learn:

· How the RELEASE programme was set up and run

· The feedback and benefits to participants

· The challenges and highlights of working in partnership with other disciplines

“One of the quotes from a participant was, ‘It was just so refreshing that all emotions were welcome.’ They felt so great that they could just let go and talk, and not talk if they didn’t want to, just really belt the punching bag."

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content.

For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:

https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-coaching-for-good-bereavement-boxing-release-programme